By the way, I disagree with the OP's premise that the seats are empty because panicked Americans are holding on to their cash. College football is still attracting record attendance. I think the NFL is in decline due to a combination of political anger and disillusionment with how the franchise operates. College football is now being seen by many as more authentic than the professional level which in many ways resembles professional wrestling more than true contests of skill. Add to that scenario the anthem protests and it's a recipe for the NFL to fall from prominence that parallels GE's trajectory.
In Greenville at least, the economy is doing well, and many of my friends who have been and are being laid off from GE are able to find new jobs quickly, several of whom are now making more money and enjoying health benefits similar to what we used to have. The only ones consistently having trouble bouncing back are older and facing age discrimination in the job market.