You are correct, though the NHL has nearly twice the games per season than MLS does. The Blue Jackets still do average more in attendance, even if only by a couple thousand. That's a substantial amount, though. I think he's correct in saying that Columbus has more hockey fans than MLS fans. Columbus is a great hockey city and is getting better.
Though I voted "yes" in the poll, and I'm the biggest CBJ fan ever, that's a personal call on my part; that is, I would personally pay more taxes to keep a sport and team I love in the city. However, I would not vote for a tax burden on others. I don't think it's a good answer nor the responsibility of tax-payers anymore then it already is. I think a private buyer option is really the only thing acceptable. It seems that a majority of the lost money was around the time of the NHL lockout, but I'm unsure. Hopefully the past couple of seasons have shown improvement.