What else do the names Houston and Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League share in common with one another?
They both outdraw the Oakland Athletics.
In what is expected to be their last year in Oakland, the A’s are averaging 6, 410 viewers per game. It would be the lowest overall household presence for an MLB group in 45 years, making it look more appropriate for leagues you’ve probably never heard of.
In total, 553 professional and college teams in U.S. leagues with more fans per household game than the Oakland A’s were discovered in Sportico’s illegal research. That includes all five big league franchises, minus the Arizona Coyotes, a lame duck, and a lot of mysterious people.
Three Indoor Football League businesses, two school wrestlers teams, and a women’s volleyball team that compete professionally on the field are included. There are flying beasts ( Firebirds and Thunderbirds ), ephemeral spirits ( Phantoms and Ghost Pirates ), space phenomena ( Komets and Supernovas ), and mythical animals ( Solar Bears and Griffins ). Even the Athletics ‘ Triple- A affiliate ( the Las Vegas Aviators ) is attracting more viewers.
The list is a testament to the recognition of some lesser-known groups in smaller regions of the United States, as well as to how native fans have turned away from their MLB group.
Thirteen minor league baseball teams have overmatched the A’s, including those led by the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (7, 990 ), 11 Cleveland Monsters ( 10, 347 ), seven Jacksonville Icemen (8, 768 ), seven USL Championship clubs, and one from the NBA G League.
The top ten skilled women’s sports clubs also make the cut. More than 6,500 viewers are drawn to Omaha Supernovas of the Professional Volleyball Federation each year, along with seven WNBA groups, three PWHL groups, and seven NWSL clubs.
The A’s even trail nearly 200 college football teams in household attendance, including 133 FBS plans, 58 FCS plans and six Division II institutions. Yet two Division III sports teams, the Wisconsin- Whitewater Warhawks and the St. John’s Johnnies ( in Minnesota, no New York ), averaged more than 8, 000 supporters during the most current activities.
The list of school sports teams that position ahead of the Athletics comprises 78 men’s sports, 14 women’s sports, 12 sports, eight women’s gymnastics, six men’s ice soccer and two women’s volleyball squads.
After decades of uncertainty for A’s fans, user John Fisher spent two decades looking for a solution to the group’s aging rough before announcing its move to Las Vegas, without any clear direction for the company. A’s supporters have protested at activities, and at town council meetings. At group meetings last November, Fisher addressed a group of angry fans and told them,” Much worse than you, than you.”
The team has the lowest payroll in MLB at$ 62.7 million, according to Spotrac, which is a full$ 20 million lower than every other club. Additionally, it is the only franchise to never agree to a player’s contract worth at least$ 75 million. Eric Chavez received the team’s most lucrative deal in the last two years, the year before Fisher made a$ 180 million purchase. ( The A’s are now worth$ 1.37 billion, per Sportico. )
The Athletics are really good this time, though, with a 17- 18 history. Their presence might have been lower than the Southern Professional Hockey League’s Huntsville Havoc if not for their modest victory on the industry.