Browsing: attendance

Matt Hardy shares his thoughts after The Hardy Boyz†emotional win over The Dudleys at TNA Bound For Glory.

At TNA Bound For Glory, The Hardys Boyz defeated Bully Ray and D-Von Dudley in a brutal Tables Match to retain both the TNA and NXT World Tag Team Championships, ending their epic rivalry in an emotional showdown.

Following the match, both teams showed respect by embracing in the ring. In a touching moment, Bully Ray and D-Von removed their boots and handed them to The Hardys, symbolizing the official retirement of The Dudleys.

Bully Ray has announced that his upcoming event at Jimmyâ€s Famous Seafood in Baltimore will now serve as his official “retirement party.†Meanwhile, Matt Hardy has opened up about The Hardy Boyzâ€s historic and emotional victory over The Dudleys.

He shared his reaction on X, formerly known as Twitter, reflecting on the emotional moment when The Hardys put Bully Ray through the table. He wrote, “This match def consisting of strong storytelling, @Graannt. It wasnâ€t meant to be a Flair/HBK finish, it had our own personal spin on it. Not to be disrespectful towards the rest of the amazing roster on this show, but this is the match that set the new attendance record. People cared about the Hardy/Dudley rivalry. Doesnâ€t matter what internet nobodies say on social media, The Hardy Boyz sell tickets in 2025.â€

“The Hardys/Dudleys match at BFG 2025 reminds me of The Final Deletion from 2016. Itâ€s initially gonna be polarizing & people will either love it or hate it. As time passes, people will look back at this match as a masterclass performed by four 30 year+ grizzled vets. This match was historic & special. Iâ€m proud of myself, @JEFFHARDYBRAND , @bullyray5150 & @TestifyDVon for making magic together one final time. Thank you for the opportunity & platform, @ThisIsTNA.â€

Read More: Recently Released WWE Talent Tells Tony Khan To Call Them

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Tony Khan on the headset

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For most wrestling fans, the story of AEW All In, held in Arlington, Texas’ Globe Life Field back in July, will be “Hangman” Adam Page overcoming Jon Moxley and the Death Riders to capture the AEW World Championship. But there was plenty more to analyze about the event, especially from the business side of things. And today, more information has come to light about All In’s funding, attendance, and other happenings from that weekend.

Wrestlenomics reports that AEW is expected to get hundreds of thousands of dollars in reimbursements from Arlington, less so than the $1 million initially expected because of “overestimated attendance.” This is due to the funding for All In accounting for an attendance of 33,490, including 32,500 spectators. According to documentation submitted by city officials on July 12, attendance for All In was 29% less than that, at 23,759 attendees, with 21,973 tickets being scanned at the turnstile gate. Arlington city manager Trey Yelverton confirmed it is state law that when a show’s anticipated attendance is 25% lower than the actual attendance, “a proportional reduction” is triggered in the reimbursement process.

No attendance number had been confirmed for All In previously, though Wrestletix’s final estimate had suggested 27,245 tickets had been distributed. It was noted that, while that number differs from the data provided by Arlington officials, it is “not unusual” for the turnstile count to be lower than the actual amount of tickets distributed. Regardless, Yelverton stated he was pleased AEW ran the show at Globe Life Field and for the number of people outside the area that attended the show, while confirming AEW would receive their reimbursement over the next six to twelve months, as the payments are finalized.

Events From International Promotions Were Reportedly Planned For All In Weekend

CMLL executive Salvador Lutterroth III in Japan

Etsuo Hara/Getty Images

Other information revealed about All In weekend shows that there were originally several more events planned beyond All In and Ring of Honor Supercard of Honor. An application notice lists what appears to be an original plan for All In weekend, which featured “AEW Dynamite” on Wednesday from the Curtis Caldwell Center, followed by an event for CMLL, called Lucha Libre Resurgence, held on Thursday evening from the Arlington eSports Arena. Lucha Libre Resurgence would’ve represented a rare US show for CMLL, which primarily runs shows out of Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Puebla.

Those events would’ve been followed by an AEW music showcase on Friday out of Kratom Backyard, and would’ve featured Chris Jericho’s band Fozzy and Swerve Strickland. More events were scheduled prior to All In on Saturday, including New Japan Strong Style, held Saturday morning in the eSports Arena, and a special “AEW Collision” episode to go along with the AEW Fan Fest at Kratom Backyard.Â

Ultimately, “Collision” took place on Thursday night, in the slot that CMLL would’ve occupied, leaving AEW TV, the fan fest, the Starrcast convention, Supercard of Honor, and All In as the marquee attractions.No reason was given for why the originally listed events didn’t take place, and Wrestlenomics couldn’t confirm whether ticket sales for All In itself led to AEW scrapping other shows due to lower ticket demand.

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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo did not attend the teamâ€s season-opening media day session Monday because he tested positive for COVID, according to Bucks general manager Jon Horst:

Antetokounmpo, 30, is still in Greece, unable to travel since falling ill. Heâ€s expected to be away from the team “for a bit†as Milwaukee begins training camp ahead of a 2025-26 NBA season that will feature a dramatically different Bucks roster than the one Antetokounmpo led into the last two campaigns.

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“Iâ€m definitely disappointed — bummed out that Iâ€m not able to be there with the team and get this ball rolling,†a clearly under-the-weather Antetokounmpo said when he joined the Bucks†media day stream remotely via Zoom. “As a leader, I donâ€t feel good about this, but at the end of the day, this is life.â€

The Bucks shocked the NBA-watching world this summer when they waived All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, whoâ€s likely to miss the entire upcoming season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon, using the stretch provision in the leagueâ€s collective bargaining agreement to create enough salary cap space to sign center Myles Turner away from the rival Indiana Pacers — who have eliminated Milwaukee in the last two postseasons — in a free-agency stunner.

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The move represented another in a series of significant changes for the Bucks in recent months. Lillard joined franchise mainstays Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton in moving on from Milwaukee, while Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Harris, Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey enter the fold as Horst, head coach Doc Rivers and Co. continue to try to build a championship-contention-caliber roster around Antetokounmpo, the two-time Most Valuable Player who led the Bucks to the 2019 NBA championship.

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Despite all-in moves like the initial trade for Lillard, the Bucks havenâ€t made it out of the second round since the 2019 title, with myriad ill-timed injuries and top-flight opponents like the Celtics and Pacers preventing them from returning to the ranks of the conferenceâ€s elite. By getting younger and bringing in more shooting and athleticism on the perimeter, Milwaukeeâ€s braintrust is hoping to provide Antetokounmpo — who finished third in MVP balloting last season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game on 60.1% shooting in yet another remarkable campaign — with the right kind of supporting cast to get the Bucks back within hailing distance of the promised land.

“This team is built to maximize Giannis, but also Giannis can maximize this team,” Horst said Monday.

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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo did not attend the teamâ€s season-opening media day session Monday because he tested positive for COVID, according to Bucks general manager Jon Horst:

Antetokounmpo, 30, is still in Greece, unable to travel since falling ill. Heâ€s expected to be away from the team “for a bit†as Milwaukee begins training camp ahead of a 2025-26 NBA season that will feature a dramatically different Bucks roster than the one Antetokounmpo led into the last two campaigns.

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“Iâ€m just waiting for a negative test, so I can leave my house and get on a plane and travel,†a clearly under-the-weather Antetokounmpo said when he joined the Bucks†media day stream remotely via Zoom. “I donâ€t want to put anybody at risk.

“Iâ€m definitely disappointed — bummed out that Iâ€m not able to be there with the team and get this ball rolling. As a leader, I donâ€t feel good about this, but at the end of the day, this is life.â€

The Bucks shocked the NBA-watching world this summer when they waived All-Star point guard Damian Lillard, whoâ€s likely to miss the entire upcoming season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon, using the stretch provision in the leagueâ€s collective bargaining agreement to create enough salary cap space to sign center Myles Turner away from the rival Indiana Pacers — who have eliminated Milwaukee in the last two postseasons — in a free-agency stunner.

[Yahoo Sports TV is here! Watch live shows and highlights 24/7]

The move represented another in a series of significant changes for the Bucks in recent months. Lillard joined franchise mainstays Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton in moving on from Milwaukee, while Turner, Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr., Gary Harris, Cole Anthony and Amir Coffey enter the fold as Horst, head coach Doc Rivers and Co. continue to try to build a championship-contention-caliber roster around Antetokounmpo, the two-time Most Valuable Player who led the Bucks to the 2019 NBA championship.

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Despite all-in moves like the initial trade for Lillard, the Bucks havenâ€t made it out of the second round since the 2019 title, with myriad ill-timed injuries and top-flight opponents like the Celtics and Pacers preventing them from returning to the ranks of the conferenceâ€s elite. By getting younger and bringing in more shooting and athleticism on the perimeter, Milwaukeeâ€s braintrust is hoping to provide Antetokounmpo — who finished third in MVP balloting last season, averaging 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks per game on 60.1% shooting in yet another remarkable campaign — with the right kind of supporting cast to get the Bucks back within hailing distance of the promised land.

“This team is built to maximize Giannis, but also Giannis can maximize this team,” Horst said Monday.

Antetokounmpo said he feels optimistic about the roster the front office has put together, but also stressed the importance of experiencing more success than the Bucks have managed in recent years.

“I believe in my teammates — thatâ€s pretty much it,†he said. “I believe in the people that are around me. I believe in my teammates. I believe in the moves that they make. Weâ€re young. You know, hopefully we can get on the same page and understand whatâ€s at risk right now. Like, the last three years, I think, weâ€ve been eliminated in the first round. So thereâ€s not much to talk about.

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“Weâ€ve just got to put our butts down, put our heads down and stay locked in the whole year long and try to win some games and hopefully get into the playoffs, and then donâ€t get eliminated in the first round. Thatâ€s pretty much it, and then we go from there.â€

If Giannis or the Bucks stumble in that process, struggling to get back to contention in an injury-ravaged East, expect the resumption of annual rumblings from national pundits about whether Antetokounmpo — who has frequently expressed a desire to remain with the Bucks for the remainder of his career, but who has also said he feels compelled to put himself in position to compete for championships — will start to look for the exit.

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Bucks governor Wes Edens opened media day by insisting Antetokounmpo “made it very clear he is committed to Milwaukeeâ€during a meeting they had in June. Asked about it via Zoom, Antetokounmpo said he couldnâ€t recall the meeting. He also said that “of course†there was some truth to offseason reports that heâ€d be open to the possibility of playing elsewhere if he determined that would be his best course of action.

“The same thing Iâ€ve been saying my whole career: I want to be on a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship, you know, and that wants to compete at a high level,†Antetokounmpo said. “I think itâ€s a disservice to basketball, itâ€s a disservice to the game to not want to compete at a high level. To want your season to end in April, you know? So itâ€s pretty much the same.

“Itâ€s not the first time. I had the same thoughts last year. I had the same thoughts two years ago. I had the same thoughts five years ago, 2020. Itâ€s never going to change. I want to be among the best. I want to compete with the best. And I want to win another championship. And thatâ€s it.â€

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(Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)

Thanks to a furious finish, MiLB once again drew more than 30 million fans in announced attendance. But numbers were still down in 2025.

Combined, the 120 MiLB teams drew a total of 30,360,682 fans in 2025, representing a drop of 2.9 percent from last year. In 2025, MiLB drew 3,847 fans per game on average, compared to 3,962 in 2024.

While that may seem like bad news for Minor League Baseball, compared to where the season was trending back in July, it’s a relatively soft landing. Heading into August, MiLB teams were on pace for a 4.5 percent dip.

From Opening Day until July 31, MiLB teams averaged 3,730 fans per game. From Aug. 1 until the end of the season, that total jumped up to 4,151 fans per game in announced attendance. That 11.3 percent improvement ultimately kept MiLB above the 30 million mark—a number it hadnâ€t dipped below this century. The season-long average of 3,847 fans per game was the lowest of the past 20 years (with the exception of the pandemic-affected 2021 season).

Overall, there were 19 teams that saw increases of 100+ fans in average attendance. Compare that to 57 teams that were down by 100 or more fans, including 10 that lost over 500 per game. Of the 120 MiLB teams, a total of 78 experienced declines in average attendance in 2025.

Here’s a look at yearly attendance over the past 25 years (Note: Because of the reduction of the minors in 2021, there are fewer teams now than there were until 2019):

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This type of late-season jump is unusual but not unprecedented. Last year, attendance ticked up 5.2% from Aug. 1 onwards. In 2022 it was a 1.2 percent increase. But in 2019 there was a 12 percent increase. Other recent increases include bumps of 10 percent in 2018, 12.1 percent in 2014 and 11.9 percent in 2013.

Late-Season Attendance Surges

This yearâ€s big bump came in part from fans saying goodbye to teams that are moving. In their final 10 games at Five County Stadium before next yearâ€s move to nearby Wilson, N.C., the Carolina Mudcats averaged 3,585 fans per game. They had averaged 2,083 fans over their first 48 games. The result was a net gain of 438 fans per game compared to last season.

Similarly, the Richmond Flying Squirrels said farewell to The Diamond as they prepare to move into a new ballpark for 2026. On July 31, Richmond was on pace to equal last yearâ€s numbers, but they ended up averaging 173 more fans per game than last year after welcoming 7,334 fans per game over the final 18 home dates.

Other clubs had even bigger late-season surges. Nine of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers’ 10 largest crowds came from Aug. 1 onwards. The St. Paul Saints’ five largest crowds all came after July.

New Locations & Unusual Circumstances

The biggest gainers overall were a pair of teams that moved to new cities. The Low-A Hub City Spartanburgers drew 2,297 more fans per game than the Down East Wood Ducks did in 2024. The Double-A Columbus Clingstones drew 1,483 more fans per game than the Mississippi Braves did last year.

Some of the biggest declines came from teams facing unusual circumstances. For example, Triple-A Sacramento is normally one of the biggest draws in minor league baseball. But they shared their facility with the Athletics†MLB team, attendance was down 1,498 fans per game.

The Tampa Tarpons, meanwhile, were moved out of Steinbrenner Field to a back field because the Rays were taking over as temporary tenants. The result was 645 fewer fans per game.

The Triple-A Salt Lake Bees were one of the rare teams to see an attendance drop after moving into a new stadium. They averaged 1,070 fewer fans per game at their new Ballpark At American First Square than they did in 2024. That was partly unavoidable because of the new park’s capacity. The Bees†old facility was one of the biggest in the minors. In 2024, they drew 13 crowds over 9,500 strong, including 14,455 fans on July 4. The new park maxed out at 7,679 fans on July 4.

MiLB will open new stadiums in Asheville, N.C., Richmond, Va., Wilson, N.C., Ontario, Calif. and Chattanooga, Tenn. in 2026. The Asheville Tourists will move into a massive renovated stadium, as well. The influx of new stadiums gives MiLB a chance to see an increase in attendance next season for the first time since 2023.

Attendance Leaders At Every Level

  • Triple-A Lehigh Valley led all teams with 585,167 in announced attendance, good for an average of 8,242 fans per game.
  • As noted above, Richmond said farewell to The Diamond by leading all Double-A clubs with 446,679 fans per game (an average of 6,768).
  • As usual, Dayton led Low-A teams with 490,468 fans per game (an average of 7,785).

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Overall MiLB Attendance Leaders In 2025

Here’s how all 120 teams (listed alphabetically by default) fared in attendance in 2025 with a look at how their average attendance compared to 2024 numbers:

TeamAttendanceAverageChange
From 2024Aberdeen IronBirds105,0201,667-288Akron RubberDucks274,6864,292395Albuquerque Isotopes493,8496,76551Altoona Curve293,4874,447-183Amarillo Sod Poodles319,6464,843-309Arkansas Travelers256,3743,826-1,133Asheville Tourists163,3802,678-242Augusta GreenJackets243,4923,927-43Beloit Sky Carp112,8081,849195Biloxi Shuckers147,2492,265-161Binghamton Rumble Ponies120,6271,977-341Birmingham Barons228,7553,466-142Bowling Green Hot Rods119,8241,933-362Bradenton Marauders71,5071,13581Brooklyn Cyclones179,3162,80250Buffalo Bisons425,5176,079-575Carolina Mudcats135,8482,342438Cedar Rapids Kernels151,2222,363-20Charleston RiverDogs264,2274,194-84Charlotte Knights425,4615,749-524Chattanooga Lookouts191,3093,356-39Chesapeake Baysox202,7413,218-287Clearwater Threshers168,1992,628-18Columbia Fireflies224,5663,622165Columbus Clingstones235,2513,5641,483Columbus Clippers513,0857,330-256Corpus Christi Hooks278,6534,098-12Dayton Dragons490,4687,785-227Daytona Tortugas109,6061,71398Delmarva Shorebirds147,5472,459-199Dunedin Blue Jays52,1808707Durham Bulls485,0216,467-156El Paso Chihuahuas472,1256,467-84Erie SeaWolves196,0112,92635Eugene Emeralds141,1952,241-172Everett AquaSox144,1112,18464Fayetteville Woodpeckers184,5932,884-166Fort Myers Mighty Mussels85,1261,419-70Fort Wayne TinCaps327,5425,118-472Fredericksburg Nationals201,0653,296-397Fresno Grizzlies241,7093,662-345Frisco RoughRiders383,5155,724184Great Lakes Loons195,3323,151-38Greensboro Grasshoppers254,2324,101147Greenville Drive305,2674,77083Gwinnett Stripers191,2712,69474Harrisburg Senators258,9723,924-131Hartford Yard Goats389,4965,813-327Hickory Crawdads114,6881,820-28Hillsboro Hops174,7772,648285Hub City Spartanburgers233,3623,5902,297Hudson Valley Renegades180,0372,858-154Indianapolis Indians570,6777,817-588Inland Empire 66ers132,1442,002-140Iowa Cubs409,7065,612-241Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp359,6794,99673Jersey Shore BlueClaws216,9693,874-497Jupiter Hammerheads53,292820165Kannapolis Cannon Ballers193,7042,935-77Knoxville Smokies295,4604,617252Lake County Captains170,2332,702-704Lake Elsinore Storm108,9761,65192Lakeland Flying Tigers36,788603-70Lansing Lugnuts275,7134,242-55Las Vegas Aviators491,8896,55948Lehigh Valley IronPigs585,1678,242176Louisville Bats328,4414,692-404Lynchburg Hillcats98,3101,58617Memphis Redbirds204,8622,927224Midland RockHounds229,0563,3686Modesto Nuts87,0081,31827Montgomery Biscuits159,8022,497-65Myrtle Beach Pelicans219,8853,858-100Nashville Sounds500,0027,042-4New Hampshire Fisher Cats207,4253,400-304Norfolk Tides370,5375,530-608Northwest Arkansas Naturals236,6683,480-14Oklahoma City Comets395,0265,411168Omaha Storm Chasers275,2603,771-253Palm Beach Cardinals47,291739-15Pensacola Blue Wahoos270,0293,913-290Peoria Chiefs139,2872,361-172Portland Sea Dogs366,4425,910-174Quad Cities River Bandits153,0422,319-417Rancho Cucamonga Quakes129,0921,956-433Reading Fightin Phils396,4556,007-270Reno Aces352,3754,698-103Richmond Flying Squirrels446,6796,768173Rochester Red Wings431,2656,074-380Rocket City Trash Pandas275,4234,303-260Rome Emperors69,2501,135-264Round Rock Express354,8674,929-155Sacramento River Cats302,9614,039-1,498Salem Red Sox164,7462,792-66Salt Lake Bees395,5345,274-1,070San Antonio Missions269,3833,96265San Jose Giants127,8191,93747Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders261,1273,840-780Somerset Patriots348,7585,449170South Bend Cubs305,3114,7700Spokane Indians264,4164,00686Springfield Cardinals241,6753,662-215St. Lucie Mets69,1311,080-20St. Paul Saints420,4286,183-254Stockton Ports119,1211,805200Sugar Land Space Cowboys270,5713,706-143Syracuse Mets342,9774,764-177Tacoma Rainiers430,8135,744250Tampa Tarpons19,475348-645Toledo Mud Hens452,0496,367-90Tri-City Dust Devils116,7251,796-80Tulsa Drillers322,4524,813-365Vancouver Canadians277,9904,344-315Visalia Rawhide120,3571,824-110West Michigan Whitecaps373,0255,8292Wichita Wind Surge277,7224,084-291Wilmington Blue Rocks162,6112,66636Winston-Salem Dash262,0744,296169Wisconsin Timber Rattlers236,4413,75357Worcester Red Sox455,4676,90149

10 Top In Average MiLB Attendance

TeamAverageLehigh Valley IronPigs8,242Indianapolis Indians7,817Dayton Dragons7,785Columbus Clippers7,330Nashville Sounds7,042Worcester Red Sox6,901Richmond Flying Squirrels6,768Albuquerque Isotopes6,765Las Vegas Aviators6,559Durham Bulls6,467

Top 25 MiLB Attendance Gainers In 2025

TeamATTENDANCEAVERAGECHANGEHub City Spartanburgers233,3623,5902,297Columbus Clingstones235,2513,5641,483Carolina Mudcats135,8482,342438Akron RubberDucks274,6864,292395Hillsboro Hops174,7772,648285Knoxville Smokies295,4604,617252Tacoma Rainiers430,8135,744250Memphis Redbirds204,8622,927224Stockton Ports119,1211,805200Beloit Sky Carp112,8081,849195Frisco RoughRiders383,5155,724184Lehigh Valley IronPigs585,1678,242176Richmond Flying Squirrels446,6796,768173Somerset Patriots348,7585,449170Winston-Salem Dash262,0744,296169Oklahoma City Comets395,0265,411168Columbia Fireflies224,5663,622165Jupiter Hammerheads53,292820165Greensboro Grasshoppers254,2324,101147Daytona Tortugas109,6061,71398Lake Elsinore Storm108,9761,65192Spokane Indians264,4164,00686Greenville Drive305,2674,77083Bradenton Marauders71,5071,13581Gwinnett Stripers191,2712,69474

Top 25 MiLB Attendance Decliners In 2025

TeamATTENDANCEAVGCHANGESacramento River Cats302,9614,039-1,498Arkansas Travelers256,3743,826-1,133Salt Lake Bees395,5345,274-1,070Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders261,1273,840-780Lake County Captains170,2332,702-704Tampa Tarpons19,475348-645Norfolk Tides370,5375,530-608Indianapolis Indians570,6777,817-588Buffalo Bisons425,5176,079-575Charlotte Knights425,4615,749-524Jersey Shore BlueClaws216,9693,874-497Fort Wayne TinCaps327,5425,118-472Rancho Cucamonga Quakes129,0921,956-433Quad Cities River Bandits153,0422,319-417Louisville Bats328,4414,692-404Fredericksburg Nationals201,0653,296-397Rochester Red Wings431,2656,074-380Tulsa Drillers322,4524,813-365Bowling Green Hot Rods119,8241,933-362Fresno Grizzlies241,7093,662-345Binghamton Rumble Ponies120,6271,977-341Hartford Yard Goats389,4965,813-327Vancouver Canadians277,9904,344-315Amarillo Sod Poodles319,6464,843-309New Hampshire Fisher Cats207,4253,400-304

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