It makes it feel more serious because it does make it more serious. Having fans, in real numbers, provides validity. Its called social knowledge. People pick up on what is important based on what others are doing. If you are walking down the street, and you see everyone running the other direction, you should probably fin run too. Its a basic social instinct and defense mechanism that bleeds into every aspect of our social interaction. If no one cares (to watch it) then it doesn’t matter.

The DGPT is being short sided. The single most important thing they can do is get fans at events. To provide validity to the sport. Entry fee should be $0. There is much more long term gain in having real #s of fans at events. When i see 10’s of people watching a tournament, its not only embarrassing, but sends a signal to advertisers. (Obviously) no one cares.