The Mets drew 2.24 million fans to Citi Field in 2012, currently the 11th best mark in the National League.
The 2.24 million is the lowest mark ever at Citi Field and their lowest mark since the 2003 season when they drew 2.14 million fans to Shea Stadium.
The Mets averaged around 27,600 fans per game at Citi Field this season ' their high watermark was 42,516 against the Phillies on July 3, and their low watermark was 20,010 against the Phillies on September 20.
Recently, Josh Kosman of the New York Post said the Mets are expected to lose $23 million as a business in 2012 ' Sandy Alderson has said the Mets lost $70 million in 2011.
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com
It's not good'there's no question about it. And, those figures are the results of paid attendance, and not those who come through the gate. But in talking with fans all year long here, on Twitter, and even those at the ballpark, there was very little buy-in to the Mets this season. Rather, fans were very much in a 'wait and see' mode with the team, and I think that is fair considering the results of the past several seasons. The attendance issue at Citi Field is unquestionably a problem for the team, their brand, and their ability to generate revenue from ticket sales. Those inside the organization have directly attributed at least part of their financial problems to the fact they have had trouble drawing at the park recently. And, even if they sell tickets and fans decide not to go, that impacts their revenue at the concession and souvenir stands and parking lots (which, as we all know are extortionately expensive).
There are also continued economic issues among the customer base. Many teams are seeing dips in attendance, and that's a product of some of the logistics of the venues but also the economy and the cost to go to a game for the average person. When it's a team like the Mets who have struggled to win recently, the decision to go watch a game becomes even harder. I think teams are aware of this, as most (including the Mets) offer discounted tickets and special incentives over the course of the season to try and get people into the ballpark. However, it's easier to market and appeal to the customer when the team is good, is in a pennant race in August and September, and most importantly, is interesting and inspiring on a daily basis.
At the end, there is a direct relationship to winning and attendance in any sport: if the team is winning, attendance is usually up. If they're losing, attendance is usually down. Ultimately, people will buy into the product and come to Citi Field on a regular basis when and if there's a winner on the field. As a fan, I've missed those days when the ballpark was packed, the fans were roaring with excitement, and no pitch could be missed. In fact, there really hasn't been a game like that played at Citi Field since the park opened in 2009, and attendance has been a reflection of that. Thursday's home finale served as an echo of that past excitement, as there was a buzz about R.A. Dickey and him gunning for his 20th win and ultimately the Cy Young Award. Just imagine how packed the park would have been and the buzz of the fans if that game actually had playoff implications'
