Wednesday night's loss to the Miami Heat ended Chicago's 2024-25 campaign on their home floor. In front of a sold-out United Center, the Bulls never led and were dismissed from playoff contention for a third consecutive year by the Heat. This entire year was a roller coaster of emotions for the fanbase. Starting with the departures of DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, continuing onto the television network change, causing the drastically reduced ease or availability to watch Chicago basketball, seeing Zach LaVine be shipped to Sacramento, and finishing with a Play-In Tournament loss at home to Miami, presented a unique path to a similar destination. That destination? A frustrated, disappointed, dumbfounded, and hopeless state of mind for the Windy City.
Highest Attendance In The NBA
When the White Sox organization was experiencing one of the worst seasons in baseball history, the crowd power reflected the fan base's disappointment. They finished 13th out of 15 in the American League in attendance, which is an entirely different story than the Chicago Bulls, who, despite being under .500 for a third consecutive season, not winning a home playoff game or series in a decade, and chanting "sell the team" during Wednesday night's loss, lead the entire league in attendance. This isn't the first time a mediocre year has seen a sold-out United Center nightly.
Give @DannyParkins a minute on why Bulls fans deserve better!
— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) April 17, 2025
"After yet another 43-49 finish... 9th place. Wanna know where they did finish 1st in the NBA? ATTENDANCE!!" pic.twitter.com/oVa7v1N5NS
Loyalty To A Fault
Of all the things that Chicago sports are near the bottom, fans are not one of them. Despite owning the fourth-longest playoff series win drought in the NBA, Bulls fans continue to reach new attendance and revenue milestones that combat the league's best teams and largest markets. Many of the franchises in the city can relate to an underwhelming product despite overwhelming support from the fans. Poor ownership, at least according to most followers of Chicago sports, is the commonality among most of them.
I say it every year and I mean it. Bulls fans are the best in the league. No other mid team has the attendance, the dozen podcasts, and so many words written about them. One day, they will get the team they deserve.
— Steph Noh (@StephNoh) April 17, 2025
Asking a fan base that has seen two playoff teams in the last 10 years for patience is an interesting strategy. Let's see how it goes. https://t.co/KE8nnbhaZV
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) April 17, 2025
How long do the Chicago Bulls and White Sox need to continue their ugly downward spiral for Jerry Reinsdorf to sell the franchises, or is that not realistic? While it would be nearly impossible to imagine, it feels like a completely shocking or transformative move within both organizations will need to occur for any change to happen anytime soon. Regardless, Bulls fans and Chicago sports fans are undoubtedly some of the best in the world.
