I dont really see a direct correlation between fan support and raise in payroll. Jerry makes decisions on payroll with a board, not by himself. They decide before the season where the payroll should be set at, and it really hasnt changed in the past 3 years. So many factors and different sources of money go into payroll, saying "Everyone go to more games, we would have signed Tejada if you went to more games two years ago..." is absolutely ridiculous. The Sox would have had an equal chance of signing "studs" if you were harping on everyone on this site about not buying Sox merchandise.
Attendance is what it is. People are fickle, and the media has convinced people that the Southside is scary and only "hardcore" fans are brave enough to venture to 35th and Shields.
Now, while i dont necassarily buy Jabroni's point saying "you cant b**** until you get your ass in a seat", I cannot dismiss that there is a small point there. People fly across country to go to Cubs games. Thats just a fact. The Cubs are a national team. It isnt so with the Sox, they are a Chicago team. Chicago still is having a strange love affair with the Cubs, but the affair has turned into short booty-calls. Unless Dusty takes this team to the playoffs, it could be a little while before they compete again. Attendance will fluctuate, provided the Sox keep up their end of the bargain and keep winning.
For now, I cannot attend games. Sadly, my life consists of working and watching my 4 year old daughter. I do my part by paying my cable bill, to which a small portion goes to comcast, to which a small portion goes to the licensing and television agreement that the Sox have with comcast. Does that make you happy? My two cents from my cable bill this month goes to "studs". Jerry should be thrilled.