In truth I didn't buy into the "commercial genius" line then or now. I recall having many debates with a few on here (I believe one was GCHQ who often set our interest payments against our increased commercial revenue; as if we'd have been completely static without the Glazers).
Our commercial revenues increased at a similar rate to similar clubs like Bayern, Real and Barcelona. That's not to say we weren't poor in this regard towards the end of the PLC era, but it would take stratospheric incompetence to have ignored this obvious revenue generator, particularly for the decade mid 00's to mid 10's.
The fans would be acting differently if we'd spent a billion over the last 15 years on a new stadium, rather than for the privilege of our owners.
Context is key. If City spend nothing for the next 5 years their owners have enough goodwill that the fan-base will barely say a word. Likewise fair-minded Spurs fans wouldn't complain as they've spent £1b on a new stadium. Arsenal fans were incredibly patient a decade ago for the same reason.
Our fanbase is always going to be one transfer window away from a revolt given what's happened the past decade and a half as there is no goodwill between the ownership and the fans. The reason is obvious given their enriching themselves at the expense of the club.
If the Glazers want to gain some goodwill then all they need to do is invest the entirety of our EBITDA over the next decade on the club (senior players, stadium improvements, youth upgrades, youth players, hell even paying down their debt).
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