Yesterday's victory over the Atlanta Falcons brought the San Francisco 49ers their third win of the season, and showcased the talents of second string quarterback Blaine Gabbert. However, if Sunday's showing from fans is any indication, not all that many people seem to care. Despite tickets selling for as low as $35 on ticket resale site StubHub, attendance at the home game was strikingly low.
NBC Bay Area notes that some fans, who likely dropped a mint on their tickets, were shocked at the low turnout.
"It’s [painful] because I spent a lot on tickets," Mario Perez of Castro Valley to the station. "But I’m content. I’m a diehard fan."
As chronicled by SFist's own Daisy Barringer, this season has been a trying one. The poor performance of the team compounded with the 49ers' questionable ticket-release policy regarding season tickets has left some fans disheartened and frustrated. As the season continues, that frustration appears more and more focused on team owner Jed York.
To add insult to injury, Niners Nation notes that even former coach Jim Harbaugh couldn't help but pile on with some criticism.
"We just train our quarterbacks to throw to people that aren't covered," said Harbaugh at a press conference. "And uh, even if it's a running play. I was watching an NFL game where they didn't cover a receiver, and the quarterback handed it off and got maligned by scribes and pundits and so-called experts for not throwing it to him."
Niners Nations make the obvious connection that Harbaugh was referring to starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick not noticing wide open Torrey Smith during the game against the St. Louis Rams.
If inexpensive tickets aren't enough to lure wary fans back to the stadium, what will? Maybe a lofty twitter account valuation?
I think the @49ers have more things to worry about than their (new) Twitter value. pic.twitter.com/cHgZQYgRpU
— NFL Humor (@NFLHumor) October 6, 2015
Related: Daisy Does the Niners: Gabbert Leads 49ers to 17-16 Victory Over Atlanta