Gary Stokan, Sports Council president, vigorously defends the Atlanta fans. He notes the city's superb track record in landing marquee sporting events and says its fans are never perceived as a negative by the organizations awarding such events. He believes it is unfair to compare the attachment of fans to the local pro teams with the attachment of fans in cities that have had their franchises much longer. The New Yorks, Bostons, Chicagos, Detroits have had teams for at least 66 years more than we have had them. You're talking about three generations of fans.
Braves get strongest support from newcomers.
It would be different now, too, he believes, if not for the lack of success by teams other than the Braves. I think fans here do get a bum rap because our teams haven't won championships and this and that. And all of that infuriates some loyal fans. He struck up a conversation with a student from Philadelphia, who blasted Atlanta's fans, noting, among other things, that there appeared to be as many Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans as Falcons fans in the Georgia Dome for a game. WOES Costs are the biggest factors for poor attendance.