But POP will get increased attendences alot more quicker by investing in more events. By having more tournaments, people will attend more CC's and new locations get access to a local tournament. If there is low attendences, then prize support will be high for each player which will encourage them to come again and for new players to hear about it and come.
Its very common for new businesses to lose money in the first few years, because it takes a while to be able to break even and become established. These tournaments are an investment, as is OP as a whole. So far this season, 330 in the UK have attended a k value tournament. Thats about 1 in 18,000 people - and this is similar for OP as a whole around the World. I'd be suprised if Pokemon have made any profit from increased sales as opposed to OP costs globally ( not just UK ) since it started.