Here's a perspective of the recent attendance numbers for the Milwaukee Admirals, showing that the team was successful not long ago at getting bodies into the Bradley Center. Older seasons are harder to research, but I'll add what I come across.
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7265
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7890
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8723
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8079
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9117
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9509
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9861
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9605
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8765
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8130
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7622
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7224
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7039
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6329
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5073
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4574
|
4783
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5299
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5701
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5517
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5878
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88
89
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89
90
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90
91
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91
92
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92
93
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93
94
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94
95
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95
96
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96
97
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97
98
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98
99
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99
00
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00
01
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01
02
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02
03
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03
04
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04
05*
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05
06
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06
07
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07
08
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08
09
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* - 2004-05 total does not include 'home' game played in Nashville in October
This chart shows the 'Bradley Center' era of the team's attendance. Prior to the 1988-89 season, the team played at the Milwaukee Arena (now known as the U.S. Cellular Arena) and at Wilson Park.
Some explanations of the trends seen on the chart.
1. The dwindling numbers since the mid-90's is not a Milwaukee problem, but rather a trend seen in nearly every minor league hockey market. It is a different society we live in, with many more things to entertain us. The internet, hundreds of cable/satellite TV channels, and increasing DVD sales all keep us occupied and entertained.
2. I also put some value on the success of the Green Bay Packers in the late 90s towards the decline in Admirals attendance, as many area sports fans shifted all of their sports allegiance on the Packers after their two decade long putrid era of football came to an end. The over-excitement of having a contending team created a green and gold tinted tunnel vision, with people spending their disposable income on foam cheese heads and car flags instead of hockey tickets. The Milwaukee media helped fuel this problem by making the headline news story about the Packers as often as possible, regardless of the significance.
3. The decline from 2001-2005 came during a period following the death of team owner Jane Bradley Pettit in September 2001. For four seasons, the team was owned by a trust, which had a slim budget for promoting the team. A slight increase in the final season of the trust's ownership (2004-05) came on the heels of the team winning the Calder Cup in 2004.
4. In the summer of 2005, the team was purchased by a group headed by Harris Turer. The new group has spent much time, effort, and money in trying to rebuild the fanbase, leading to an increase at the turnstiles.
5. The 2007-08 season was hampered by the snowiest Milwaukee winter in 122 years, with nearly 100 inches of snow. Several games happened to be scheduled on terrible weather days.
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