Yes, I would agree with that.
The rags will have a global audience because of their historical success, as you rightly mention.
When a club is repeatedly branded as one of the biggest in the world it will always attract followers.
Like you, I have often been left scratching my head wondering how they can attract so many people at the swamp. Especially, when you consider the dross they've been serving up over the past decade.
Then it dawned on me.... thousands of tourists visit Buckingham Palace every week, yet they never get to see the queen (king).
Thousands of tourists visit Loch Ness in Scotland and yet they never get to see the Loch Ness Monster.
The swamp is essentially a museum for tourists to visit, and tick off yet, another site seeing tour on their bucket list.