My take is that people have finally had their fill of the Gestapo tactics (invasive pat-downs, can only carry in a clear plastic bag, etc.) No one wants to pay outrageous ticket and beer prices to be treated like prisoners in a gulag.
Your point is true also. Gathering en masse anymore seems to be one of subjection to Gestapo crowd control tactics.
As someone said to me years ago” Why should I pay $100 to watch someone dribble a ball”? Pick your sport.