gate receipts are nowhere near as important as tv$$$
in order for it to appear as if a worthy event is being staged, cameras need to show a crowd
this gives the impression that a worthy event is taking place and gives the club/a-league some substance for tv negotiations
this bleeding heart 'we don't cover the cost of a home fixture' line seems to me to only consider direct revenue and costs - i.e. tickets sold less stadium hire, less other event costs = loss
factor in long term merchandising and tv revenue and the picture would be profitable
and i suggest that if the phoenix aren't seeing their fair share of tv revenue, then they should focus their attention on lobbying the FFA rather than taking issue with their own fans