Add this to the fact that there are no REAL personalities left in the league. So if you want your pro league to flourish in the minds of young and old fans, don't hire former felons, league suspendees, or other unsavory types, simply because they may have had some brief NBA or Euro experience. Have the players show up at kids hospitals and hospices. These events will also attract media attention. Give away a lot of free tickets via media outlets.
Commercial media love to give free stuff away for promotional purposes.
This may sound counter intuitive, but the money you would lose in the freebies, would improve attendance, game atmosphere and return spectators who WILL pay when they come back.