Alcohol-related incidents at Minnesota’s TCF Stadium were down in 2013, and profits up, Minnesota is likely to continue selling alcohol to fans at football games in the future. Following a two-year experiment with promising results, the school hopes to get legislative approval to continue selling alcohol in 2014 and beyond.
According to the Star Tribune, alcohol-related incidents during football games in 2013 were down compared to the first year of alcohol sales at football game sin 2010. A total of 59 incidents were reported by police during the 2013 season, compared to 77 incidents involving alcohol in 2010, two years prior to selling alcohol at games. It would appear Minnesota has gotten a handle on monitoring and enforcing conduct inside the football stadium. Minnesota hosted seven football games each season from 2010 through 2013, so the numbers are fair to compare on a yearly basis.
That’s nice, but what about the money?
Minnesota recorded a profit of $181,678 off the sale of beer and wine at home games. With start-up expenses behind them a year ago, Minnesota saw an increase in profit this season by about $160,000. That is an extra $160,000 that goes toward funding the athletics program.
That’s reason alone to continue selling alcohol, and could be something that inspires other universities to give it a shot.
Arkansas recently announced they had intentions of selling beer and wine to fans in premium seats.