Morumbi saw one of its lowest fan turnouts this Wednesday night during its turn to host the Copa Libertadores, according to Ciro Campos of ESTADÃO. The 16,689 fans were "less than half" of the turnout from Morumbi's '13 hosting of the Libertadores, which brought "over 41,000 people." One reason for low ticket sales was the "increase in ticket prices," as they were "officially" R$120 ($42). However, higher ticket prices was a "strategy of the club to attract more fan memberships." Brasileiro side São Paulo FC's strategy attracted 8,000 "new members in the month of February." (ESTADAO, 2/26). In São Paulo, Salgado & Lopes wrote the main reason for low ticket sales was the "change in ownership: Total Acesso was substituted for Smartmove." The main concern "happens with the bank and debt transfers from an old company to a new one." These led to the worst turnout for Morumbi in "the last 23 years." São Paulo FC President Carlos Miguel Aidar is "bothered" by the issue. Aidar has asked that it be "given first priority so that the situation recieves a 'solution immediately'" (UOL, 2/26).
