How were the Arizona Coyotes able to extend OEL? Lots of empty seats and very unstable ownership in Zona for years and yet, a massive extension for OEL?? Pretty sure even if we only had 1000 fans attending every playoff game during that run, that would have been a few thousand more than the Coyotes have had in years, where did our playoff revenue go? The Coyotes have none, but are still able to retain their players.
Your argument would make sense if there weren't similar situations around the league where there is unstable ownership and an empty building (much emptier than ours).