although the giants were successful on the field in their first season, going 8–4 in 1925, their financial status was a different story. the players' salaries were so low that they could not fully dedicate themselves to the game as most of them had to work other jobs. the team's abbreviated practices, held at 4:30 pm each day so as not to conflict with work schedules, also allowed for little in-season improvement. overshadowed by baseball, boxing, and college football, professional football was not a popular sport in 1925. mara had to spend $25,000 of his own money during the season just to keep the franchise alive. this struggle continued until the 11th game of the season when red grange and the chicago bears came to town, attracting more than 73,000 fans—a pro football record. the game attracted such attention that 20,000 fans were turned away at the gates. this gave the giants a much needed influx of revenue, and perhaps altered the history of the franchise.