True. For a franchise like the Cardinals, their fanbase has deep roots regardless if a star like Pujols comes and goes. The Nats aren't the same. Harper is the first and only true superstar and highly marketable players they have had. Zimmerman was The Face, but did you ever see him on a national TV commercial? Harper leaving would be a big blow to the Nats in more ways than on the field.
When Griffey left the Mariners, their attendance didn't change. The next year, A-Rod left, and it went UP 600,000 because they won 25 more games. Texas attendance went up 250,000 the year A-Rod arrived, and went up 425,000 the year he left because they won 18 more games.
People have looked at this before and I've never seen evidence that fans buy tickets for individual players instead of a winning team.
Now there may be differences in terms of merchandise, etc. In general, attendance seems linked to other things (in particular winning).
