During the Giants' first season, attendance was so poor that Mara lost over $40,000. To tap into New York's college football fans, Mara tried to sign ex-college football superstar Red Grange only to find that he already was a member of the Chicago Bears. However still looking for a way to cash in on Grange's popularity, Mara scheduled a game against the Bears to be played at the Polo Grounds.
During the Giants' inaugural season, attendance proved disappointing, leading to losses of over $40,000 for Mara. To tap into New York's college football fan pool, Mara sought out Red Grange, a renowned former college sports figure, but was unable to secure his services due to Grange's affiliation with the Chicago Bears. As an alternative, Mara organized a game against the Bears at the Polo Grounds.