I was shocked attendance was listed at nearly 31,000. For those who have been to a lot of past classics there with TSU, FAMU, Southern etc drawing in the 50,000 range it did not look like 30,000. On tv you're looking at a 70,000 seat facility that looks empty. So it can look a bit off. Some of the other FBS bowls with similar or lower attendance are not played in as large a venue, sometimes around 30,000, so it does not look as bad. I think some people who are critical remember the Heritage bowl that often had marquee matchups but it did not last. It was not getting 40,000 to 50,000 with those matchups?
I think the proper perspective is that it's just YEAR 2. If the ratings hold I think that satisfies a big requirement but being billed as a national championship this should also be a platform for black college growth. So I think attendance is very important.
Another box to check is putting a competitive product on the field two years in a row.
Most will agree JSU, SU, Bama schools, FAMU, SCSU gonna be the best draws....But long term this game can't be dependent on that as you will get other matchups. If the MEAC, SWAC as well, want this game have the conference leaders, presidents and ADs implemented a real set of plans for all member schools to market this game and sell tix with their respective communities? Not trying to be funny but how many people outside of Grambling and NCCU folks can say their athletics departments have really tried to brand and sell the game? The ideal matchup attendance wise would be SU vs FAMU and Jsu vs SCSU & Vice Versa
