They were not that big to begin with. And pound for pound they were a medium sized crew. I come from NYC so to me they were a smaller crew. And I don't think they ever had "9" crews. Their membership didn't call for that.

I believe Philly was larger than them. So was Buffalo. At the height of their power NE was on par with Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Tampa, etc. (IMO) - which is all any of us have to offer here.

They were 'medium' sized. Small would have been San Francisco, San Jose, Madison, etc.

Statistics and charts show their membership on par with these other type crews. I suspect their membership between 40-60 men at their peak. With a hundred, or two hundred, or so 'associates'

The smallest NYC crew in those days was more than double that number. Lucchese (125), Colombo (150), Bonanno (200), Gambino and Genovese both pushing (250-300). Maybe even more.