Leagues fold mainly because of poor communication and organization between league bowlers, team captains, league officers and ownership. To keep a league going all of that communication has to be solid. One should not expect to go to a league meeting or 1st night of bowling and assume everything is the same a last year. Heads buried in the sand.
Most league bowlers assume that they just show up and it's up to the house to keep the league full. Not going to happen in this day in age. Even though it's in the proprietors wallet from what I have seen many proprietors think it's still the 50's open the doors and they will come. Majority of centers think put an ad in the paper, post leagues on facebook or a website and my center will be full....nada takes face to face and shaking hands etc to keep your center full. How many on BR can say that they have been contacted by proprietor or management face to face to keep them as league bowler? I'd guess less than 10%. League bowlers have been taken for granted forever.