I definitely agree with all your points/observations and I’ll add to that.
From a pure state population standpoint Louisiana has approximately 4.6 million residents. You could probably easily subtract 1-1.5 million residents as either Cowboys fans in NorthWest Louisiana or just don’t like NFL football. So of the average viewership each week that tells me that the Saints are drawing in some of what we already knew, regional viewership from Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle but also across the country as well. That is something that many NFL teams with much bigger populations and regional populations (Jacksonville/Tennessee) aren’t doing.
That’s why those that think the Saints are as good as gone to San Antonio if Mrs Gayle ever sells the team are just simply incorrect. First, I think the NFL money making model has changed drastically from where it was 20 years ago especially since giving up the bulk of their tax exempt status. I also think as those TV ratings point out that even through 4 years of mediocrity the Saints viewership is actually still on the cusp of top 10. Finally, in my opinion the potential buyers or ownership groups interested in keeping the Saints in New Orleans will be larger going forward “if” someone were to want to buy and try to move the team in the future. I mean heck Todd Graves (owner of Raising Canes) could pretty much purchase the Saints by himself at this point.