Their data goes back to 1991. Sure, the stadium has been full the past couple years, but I sat in a mostly empty stadium most times I went there before 2006, whether it be Tiger Stadium or Comerica Park.

From 1988 to 2005, no one cared about Detroit sports unless it was the Pistons, Red Wings, or making fun of the Lions (except Barry Sanders, of course).

Before 2006, no one gave two shits about the Tigers, except for diehards (not to toot my own horn, but I’ve been a diehard fan of all Detroit teams since birth). Since halfway through 2006, it has become en vogue to cheer for the Tigers and profess an undying love for them.

I think that report is completely legit. So many people now that claim to be such big Tiger fans didn’t care at all about a failing franchise just three years ago. So, sure, Comerica is packed every game, but a lot of those “fans” are just feeding off the frenzy.

you cannot soley base loyalty on park attendance, I also have been a die hard fan my whole life, my father took me to many games growing up even though he could barely afford to do so. and now I’m far better off than my father was but i can’t afford to take my son to more than 3 or 4 games a year. the loyal fans are the one’s out there watching on TV or listening on the radio. the fans in the stands are the bandwagon fans. trying to impress a girl friend, a neighbor or a client. corporations and organizations buy blocks of seats for outings. mostly for people that have no idea who Jim Leyland is and after the game is over will not know the result.