QUOTE (TLAK @ Dec 26, 2009 -> 01:45 PM)
Ownership did pretty good in the 00's too. Especially if you factor in the amount of money you spend at a game compared to years past.
Decade Attendance
2000's 22,030,397
1990's 19,777,111
1980's 14,448,273
1970's 11,053,371
1960's 10,830,432
1950's 11,296,258
1940's 7,068,975
1930's 4,109,937
1920's 6,238,378
1910's 5,577,496
1900's 4,588,978
On average from 1985-today, about 35% of the city are Sox fans. 50% Cubs, 15% other teams or not baseball fans.
Pre-1985 It was about 45%, 45%, 10%.
City population
2000 2,896,016 - 1,013,606 Sox fans
1990 2,783,726 - 974,304 Sox fans
1980 3,005,072 - 1,202,029 Sox fans
1970 3,366,957 - 1,515,131 Sox fans
1960 3,550,404 - 1,597,682 Sox fans
1950 3,620,962 - 1,629,433 Sox fans
1940 3,396,808 - 1,528,564 Sox fans
1930 3,376,438 - 1,519,397 Sox fans
1920 2,701,705 - 1,215,767 Sox fans
1910 2,185,283 - 983,377 Sox fans
1900 1,698,575 - 764,359 Sox fans
With the era of job losses and post-industrial era of the mid-1970s, on average, 20% of Sox fans moved out of the area to other parts of the country.
So, you can add that 20% plus an additional 20% for families and two more generations - starting about 1975.
This also does not count for the fans who are in the "Chicagoland" area, but not in the city. At least another 110% since 1950 should be added to the total. - 20% 1920-1950 due to radio.
Finally, you should add 20% for WGN America fans after 1990- today and 10% for the internet/mlb.tv/Frank Thomas effect.
2000 1,013,606 city fans - 405,442 Fans who moved - 1,114,967 suburban fans - 202,721 WGN - 101,361 'net = 2,838,097 fans est.
1990 974,304 city fans - 389,722 Fans who moved - 1,071,734 suburban fans - 194,861 WGN = 2,630,621 fans est.
1980 1,202,029 city fans - 420,710 Fans who moved - 1,322,232 suburban fans = 2,944,971 fans est.
1970 1,515,131 city fans - 303,026 Fans who moved - 1,666,644 suburban fans = 3,484,801 fans est.
1960 1,597,682 city fans - 1,757,450 suburban fans = 3,355,132 fans est.
1950 1,629,433 city fans - 1,792,376 suburban fans = 3,421,809 fans est.
1940 1,528,564 city fans - 505,712 suburban/area fans = 2,034,276 fans est.
1930 1,519,397 city fans - 503,879 suburban/area fans = 2,023,276 fans est.
1920 1,215,767 city fans - 443,153 suburban/area fans = 1,658,920 fans est.
1910 983,377 city fans est.
1900 764,359 city fans est.
Decade Attendance
2000's 22,030,397 - 2,203,049 per year - 0.78 tickets sold per fan
1990's 19,777,111 - 1,977,711 per year - 0.75 tickets sold per fan
1980's 14,448,273 - 1,444,827 per year - 0.49 tickets sold per fan
1970's 11,053,371 - 1,105,337 per year - 0.32 tickets sold per fan
1960's 10,830,432 - 1,083,043 per year - 0.32 tickets sold per fan
1950's 11,296,258 - 1,129,626 per year - 0.33 tickets sold per fan
1940's 7,068,975 - 706,898 per year - 0.35 tickets sold per fan
1930's 4,109,937 - 410,994 per year - 0.20 tickets sold per fan
1920's 6,238,378 - 623,838 per year - 0.38 tickets sold per fan
1910's 5,577,496 - 557,750 per year - 0.57 tickets sold per fan
1900's 4,588,978 - 458,898 per year - 0.60 tickets sold per fan
Pretty crazy that the Sox, with a more limited fan base than any other mlb team, are about 78% per one ticket sold per fan.