The Cowboys on average had almost 1,000 fans fewer at each of their 16 training camp practices this yearGETTY IMAGES
The Cowboys "lost some major star power in the offseason" with the retirement of TE Jason Witten and the release of WR Dez Bryant, which may have "played a part in a significant drop in attendance for the club the last four weeks during training camp practices" in Southern California, according to Brandon George of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. The team on average had "almost 1,000 fans fewer at each of their 16 training camp practices this year compared to the same number of practices" in '17 in Oxnard. The difference was "noticeable, with the stands adjacent to one of the fields mostly empty for the free practices." The Cowboys "had 55,432 fans at their 16 practices" last year in Oxnard. This year, the total attendance "dipped by 15,351 fans to a total of 40,081 for the 16 practices that concluded Thursday." Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones has been "hesitant to cutoff the club's connection to Oxnard and move all of training camp to The Star because of the ideal weather here for the outdoor practices and wanting to stay connected to the club's strong Southern California fan base." The Cowboys and the City of Oxnard are "expected to move forward with the two-year option, putting training camp practices back in Southern California" in '19 and '20 (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/17).
CAN YOU SEE? In Dallas, David Moore notes many A-list actors and celebs who have previously made appearances at Oxnard training camps "didn't make it" this year. While those appearances do not "directly deposit money into the coffers, it does enhance the franchise's relevance and pop culture credentials." The proximity of the Rams and Chargers to Oxnard "undoubtedly has an impact," but neither franchise can be "accused of siphoning celebrities away from the Cowboys." Jones' stance on the anthem "doesn't play well with his Hollywood contingent," and showing up at Cowboys camp "no longer provides a nice, harmless photo op for an actor or celebrity in this moment." It is a "political statement that will anger a significant portion of their fan base." Actors live in a world where tweets critical of President Trump "build respect and credibility," while Jones "lives in a world where the President compliments him in tweets for saying if you don't stand for the anthem you won't play for the Cowboys." Lakers F LeBron James is a "huge Cowboys fan," so it is "telling that he doesn't swing by Oxnard for a practice." Meanwhile, the Cowboys did "host conservative political commentator Tomi Lahren" for practice on Wednesday (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 8/17).
