The fury game with Fowler did get over 9k so it did help a little. However, I think the big name status will only get you a big crowd the first time the player comes. The novelty of having a big name player wears off very quickly.
Hmmm... imo in a small but party town like Wellington the novelty of having a big-name player if marketed right shouldn't wear off just like that. He'd have to be a social retard to disappear off the media radar, even if results weren't brilliant. Plus, being a Big Name, he'd put another 15 - 20k on the Auckland gate.