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“I don’t want to be critical,” Buono said. “For a year, maybe more, we disappointed (the fans). You earn the respect and we have to continue to earn their respect. We’re playing exciting football but it takes 10 years to build a fan base and you can lose it very quickly.

“The organization is going to be patient. We’re going to work hard to get one season-ticket holder at a time.”

Photo by DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS

That, at least, would be a start. But it would be naive to think the Lions can fix this problem quickly and easily.

Declining attendance has been a storyline for each of the last five Lions’ seasons but, this year, it feels like the CFL team has jumped the shark. After five home games, they’re averaging a paltry 20,194 fans per game, which would be their lowest total since the forgettable 1998 campaign, David Braley’s second full season as the club’s owner.

Since then, there have been moments when the relationship between the Lions and its fan base was strained.

But it never felt broken. Until now.

“This is Vancouver,” said Solomon Elimimian. “We all understand what’s going on. I’m sure it will take care of itself.”

Translation. This is a city of front-runners and loyalty can lost as long as the next losing streak. Just ask the Canucks and the Whitecaps.

“We’re in a different day and age,” Elimimian continued. “The TV numbers are good. I guess people would rather be relaxing in a comfortable chair watching a big-screen TV.”

The man has a point. In reciting the reasons for the Lions’ limp attendance, a familiar litany of excuses are given. There’s the cost of the tickets at B.C. Place, the presence of the Seattle Seahawks down the road and the Lions’ in-game presentation.