The arena football team might not stay in Amarillo if ticket sales do not pick up.
AMARILLO -- Will they stay or will they go? The fate of Amarillo's arena football team is left for the fans to decide. Dusters management said if they do not boost attendance, this season could be their last in Amarillo.
The stands are not full at the Dusters games anymore, but those loyal fans are still spirited.
"I love the Dusters," said Hunter Rendon, a 10-year old fan.
Though the Dusters are not currently a winning team, these true fans still think the most of them.
"They're really good at football and they have cheerleaders, said Rendon.
"It's just a great family event, come out the kids love it when the cheerleaders come out in the stands and throw t-shirts and the frisbees and the other activities. It gives you your football fix all year round...and I'm a football junkie," said Dusters fan Robert Moss.
But fans might have to find something else to do on Friday nights because if ticket sales do not pick up the dusters could pack up.
"I would probably lay in my bed and cry every Friday," said Rendon.
"It's a significant concern. Everything's down--season tickets, corporate sales, individual game tickets--we've got to get those numbers up. If we can show we can get the numbers up there will be a long term commitment to keep Dusters football here," said Dusters General Manager Warren McCarty.
Promotional deals and give-aways each home game are trying to draw in the crowds. But even fifty cent hotdogs will not fill up the stands if Amarilloans think ticket prices are too high. Tickets range from nine to twenty five dollars. But fans feel the games are worth the price.
"The half time show and the prizes you get for coming into the stands and the footballs...no it's not expensive at all," said Moss.
Management says more Amarilloans need to take up this philosophy. They will look at the attendance numbers after six of the eight home games before making the decision to stay or leave.
The Dusters have five more home games. Their next one is at the Civic Center on May 12th.
