UMass has proven if they have winning teams, the fanbase shows up. It's there, waiting for a reason. It could be a northeastern thing, I don't know, but it's not like there is a shortage of great sports to compete with in the area: the Patriots and Celtics for example. That's why comparisons to Iowa and Wyoming are ridiculous; those states have nothing else going on. UMass has a ton of alumni too, so when they are decent those attendance numbers will go up.

I don't believe they have a fanbase problem, just a winning problem. I commend UMass for taking the risk because unlike many other schools making the jump they absolutely have a high ceiling.