LJS Editorial on selling beer @ PBA

[Concrete]

http://journalstar.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-consider-beer-at-unl-basketball/article_ef1ce86b-174b-5991-97ad-7bec1f7a875b.html

 

i think this is relevant for this board as selling booze would, IMO, drastically increase our average attendance once the newness of the arena wears off

 

And aside from that, there's really no point in NOT selling beer at games.  There have been multiple studies/articles pointing out that, across the country, selling booze hasn't caused problems.

[Jadler]

I'm all for it, however, I don't want to see it limited to just the concourse area. I can just see the concourse being rather packed while seats remain empty. It'd be like a live action sports bar with more expensive drinks.

[atskooc]

I'm for it as well.

 

Basketball is better suited in this sense for beer sales.  The games aren't very long.  There isn't tailgaiting before the games (so fans aren't going to come to the game trashed like they do for football games).  And the fan intensity level at a basketball game is considerably lower than at, say, a football game.  There will be fewer incidents on a percentage level than at a football game, I can damn near guarantee it.

 

Selling beer at Nebraskaball games is in no way a bad idea.

[Huskerpapa]

I am trying to figure this out...so, do non-fans come to the game because they are able to sit around and drink?  If that is the reason, are they not the fans who will walk out of the arena early?  Are they walking to the bar at the four minute mark? 

 

If there is beer there, I likely will drink one or two, but if it isn't there, I will partake in my Diet Mt. Dew.

[HB]

I am trying to figure this out...so, do non-fans come to the game because they are able to sit around and drink?  If that is the reason, are they not the fans who will walk out of the arena early?  Are they walking to the bar at the four minute mark? 

 

If there is beer there, I likely will drink one or two, but if it isn't there, I will partake in my Diet Mt. Dew.

 

Even though I am a bit of a spendthrift, I don't see too many $8.00 beers in my future.

[Concrete]

I am trying to figure this out...so, do non-fans come to the game because they are able to sit around and drink?  If that is the reason, are they not the fans who will walk out of the arena early?  Are they walking to the bar at the four minute mark? 

 

If there is beer there, I likely will drink one or two, but if it isn't there, I will partake in my Diet Mt. Dew.

Every sporting event is going to have fans that leave early.  It's just the way society is today, a lot of people want to get to where they are going as quickly as possible and if that means leaving a sporting event early, that's what they're going to do.  Nothing will change that.

 

What we can change is the frequency of these people showing up.  Rather than only showing up for the big games and then leaving when it's out of reach, they'll show up for most games and then leave when it's out of reach.  All it is is more of their money

[cipsucks]

Any chance of getting some HHC pickle cards in the new arena? 

 

I'm just trying to think outside the box, Dave and Scott.....

[HuskerFever]

IT IS 2013, FOLKS. LET'S GET WITH THE PROGRAM. (Sorry for the all-caps, guys).

[Bugeaters1]

As a non-drinker it don't bother me either way. I go to saltdog games and I don't see alot of drunkenness there. So if you want a beer or whatever go for it.

[jimmykc]

I think it is a terrible idea for college sports where grandchildren often accompany adults at a university which already has a binge drinking problem. Let's face it, we all become a bit more rowdy (obnoxious) after a few beers and it can lead to unpleasantness in a hurry. Does anyone really think sitting in the bleachers at a Royals game or attending a pregame tailgate next to boozy adults sets a good example for grade schoolers? I'm not a prude but I would opt to let folks who want to imbibe do it at sports bars before or after the game and keep the venue free of the overpriced stuff while the game is in progress. If one really must have a drink to enjoy the game, then he or she might have a bigger problem than who wins.

[Daledangdarn]

IT IS 2013, FOLKS. LET'S GET WITH THE PROGRAM. (Sorry for the all-caps, guys).

 

 Rules of internet, caps lock is cruise control for cool.

[49r]

I'm with you jimmy.  I'm afraid that the proponents of selling beer will ultimately prevail, however.

[leonidas]

What's the downside for those of you against it?  Is it really that you think that it'll turn the PBA into a venue of lawlessness?  Nonsense.  Go to a Creighton game and you'll find otherwise.  I really don't understand how people can be against this?  I'm baffled by it.

 

Here's how I see it:

 

Benefits:

Additional revenue

More fans (Do I care if they only come for the beer?  No, why should I?  Get them in the door.)

More fans leads to more revenue.

More fans leads to better environment.

Better environment leads to better atmoshpere for players and recruits and can even make a difference in wins and losses.

 

Negatives:

?  (I guess people thinking they can no longer take kids to a basketball game - again, seems to be rebutted directly by atmoshpere at Creighton games and elsewhere)

[royalfan]

Pretty easy decision from my point of view.  It should be sold.  It is legal and it provides more revenue.  And it allows people to enjoy a beer or two if they so choose.  Who loses by selling it?  Nobody. 

[seaofred92]

This is another part of Lincoln "growing up" in my eyes. I think when the city agreed to build the new arena they agreed to sort of modernize. What are they going to do when they try to get big time concerts in there? They would lose out on a HUGE revenue source by not having alcohol available to serve to legal aged drinkers. Plus it would help bring in a younger crowd, which would help make NU basketball games a "cool" thing to go to. Meet your friends at the game, have a few drinks, then go out for the night. That's the view from a 21 year old college kid anyways.

[Daledangdarn]

Pretty easy decision from my point of view.  It should be sold.  It is legal and it provides more revenue.  And it allows people to enjoy a beer or two if they so choose.  Who loses by selling it?  Nobody. 

 

Agreed.  I don't think there is any harm in it, if people want to get liquored up, they will get liquored up regardless if beer is sold at the arena. 

[seaofred92]

Also I go currently go to UConn and we sell beer at our football games and its not a problem at all. We use the wristband system and nobody who is under 21 can get beer, and if you're over 21 and get caught giving a minor a beer the punishment is beyond severe. When regulated correctly there's no reason it shouldn't be allowed. We tailgate just as hard as the next guys and nothing happens.

[leonidas]

Also I go currently go to UConn and we sell beer at our football games and its not a problem at all. We use the wristband system and nobody who is under 21 can get beer, and if you're over 21 and get caught giving a minor a beer the punishment is beyond severe. When regulated correctly there's no reason it shouldn't be allowed. We tailgate just as hard as the next guys and nothing happens.

 

Exactly.  There's built in regulations at arenas that sell that take care of many of the concerns of those against beer.  I don't NEED a beer to enjoy a basketball game, but I'm a responsible adult who would sure love to have one while I watch a game.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with that either.

[Concrete]

This is another part of Lincoln "growing up" in my eyes. I think when the city agreed to build the new arena they agreed to sort of modernize. What are they going to do when they try to get big time concerts in there? They would lose out on a HUGE revenue source by not having alcohol available to serve to legal aged drinkers. Plus it would help bring in a younger crowd, which would help make NU basketball games a "cool" thing to go to. Meet your friends at the game, have a few drinks, then go out for the night. That's the view from a 21 year old college kid anyways.

i agree with what you're saying, but wanted to correct one thing- booze will absolutely be sold at the arena for concerts, professional events, etc regardless of the decision by UNL.  UNL can choose to not sell booze when they are playing, but they have little control over what the arena does outside of that.

[jimmykc]

Hey, if it brings in money and ain't illegal then it must be ok. The same logic can be applied in Colorado and other states which have passed laws for legalizing pot to allow its use at college basketball venues. That doesn't make it right. My one experience in Omaha was when NU played Oregon up there and a drunken and rowdy Oregon fan had to be escorted out be several security officers. This impressed my grandson more than the (rather exciting) game.

[Concrete]

and your grandson probably learned an invaluable lesson about moderation that day.  sell that booze

[HF_]

Positives far outweigh the negatives.  Hope Eichorst doesn't let the possibility of a very small number of isolated incidents outweigh the huge impact it could have on attendance and revenue.  You serve beer the first year and you are going to get that building off to a great start in terms of attendance and home court advantage.

 

Thanks to the LJS for getting this issue out in front of the public with the front page spread last week, and the editorial this week.  This can do nothing but help the cause.  

 

Would love nothing more than to have an ice cold beer in my hand when my butt hits my seat for the first game in November.

[49r]

There should be a poll...

 

Norm?  You got this??  

[Silverbacked1]

Once again a topic that really has two good arguments for both sides.

 

I think it will most likely be sold.

 

I most likely won't buy because I don't like to drink at games.  Don't even at baseball.  Just me.

 

I think they will come up with something that will work out nicely.  If not they can always tweek it to work.

 

Don't know if I want to see the student section jumping around with beers in their hands, but...

[Fullbacksympathy]

Hey, if it brings in money and ain't illegal then it must be ok. The same logic can be applied in Colorado and other states which have passed laws for legalizing pot to allow its use at college basketball venues. That doesn't make it right. My one experience in Omaha was when NU played Oregon up there and a drunken and rowdy Oregon fan had to be escorted out be several security offers. This impressed my grandson more than the (rather exciting) game.

 

Point made, but here's the thing about Nebraska:  we are hypocritical about drinking.

 

I remember going to fb games as a kid at it being pointed out to me how big, bad Colorado sells alcohol at football games.  What I didn't know is that, right outside of memorial stadium, an exhibition of drunkenness was occurring statewide that rivals anyone, anywhere, at the tailgate.

 

Nebraskans drink like hell at or on the way to sporting events.  Might as well protect our property taxes since we're going to drink either way.  It doesn't change the fact that Nebraskans are, by and large, very decent people.

 

(BTW, I don't drink, but I know Nebraskans.)