While I don't disagree with Geno Auriemma's premise that American sports fans are enamored of high scoring offensive output (probably the reason that soccer has never really caught on in the US), I disagree that the lack of offense is the reason for declining attendance. In fact, I don't believe that there is declining attendance overall. At least not a significant decrease.
It is true that UConn has seen steadily decreasing attendance at their home games over the last several years, but in my opinion, that has nothing really to do with the quality of the offensive output. The biggest factor, again in my opinion, is that fact that in the Big East in general, and at UConn in particular, basketball, both men's and women's, is the goose that laid the golden egg, much like football in the SEC. The UConn AD has attempted to reap the benefits of that goose but has failed to recognize the limitations of the market. Basically, UConn has priced themselves out of the range of their loyal fans resulting in fewer "butts in the seats"!
This is not particularly meant as a criticism of UConn, in particular, because I see the same thing occurring in athletic departments across the country, to include right here at the University of Tennessee!
I also realize that the declining attendance at a particular University sports venue can be affected by many things and to point to one factor in cost can be considered simplistic, but I believe the other factors only tend to exacerbate the already deleterious effects of the high cost associated with game attendance.
Basically, lowering the rim in women's basketball isn't going to increase attendance.
Jim
