Despite a solid 9-9 start to the 2025 season and staying just 1.5 games out of a tight NL Central race, the St. Louis Cardinals are facing a different kind of challenge — not on the field, but in the stands.
Many fans expected this season to mark the beginning of a full rebuild, with star third baseman Nolan Arenado likely traded to a top contender. But as the team remains competitive, a portion of the fan base is continuing to boycott games — not because of the players, but due to frustration with team ownership and the front office, particularly owner Bill DeWitt Jr.
This form of protest, while getting the message across, is starting to produce unintended fallout.
The Cardinals, who ranked 7th in MLB attendance last year, have dropped to 12th so far this season. Players have noticed the emptier seats at Busch Stadium. Catcher Willson Contreras urged fans to return, saying, “We’re here for you guys, and we need you and your energy.”
The absence isn’t just felt by the team. Local businesses near the stadium are also feeling the pinch. Big Daddy’s, a popular bar in the Soulard neighborhood that offers free shuttle rides to games, has seen a noticeable decline in foot traffic. Co-owner Jon Vieluf noted that shuttle usage has dropped from about 50 fans per game to just 10–20 since Opening Day.
While the NHL’s St. Louis Blues making a playoff push could be diverting attention, Vieluf emphasized the importance of supporting all local teams and the city’s economy: “We depend on all the teams producing. Get out, support your team and your economy.”
Unless fan turnout improves, the well-meaning protest may continue to hurt the city’s small businesses more than it pressures ownership.
