Sipples article today

[TourneyBound]

Anyone see the last little nugget in sipples article today. Sounds like their could be alcohol served this year. Only a matter of time...

http://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/sipple/steven-m-sipple-some-husker-fans-will-enjoy-more-wiggle/article_b1a62703-0673-5132-ba6e-8d2af468b60e.html

[aksarben]

I did see that and I sincerely hope this is not the case. There are plenty of bars just outside the arena where they can do that, why bring that atmosphere into the arena? I know I'll be chided for my comment so I'll say - this I'm 59 years old (call me a blue hair if you wish but my hair is still naturally brown), have never drank a day in my life. I'm OK with people having a drink if that's what they choose to do as long as it doesn't go overboard which is what tends to happen in these situations, night games at Memorial Stadium are a perfect example of this and they don't even serve booze in the place.

[jimmykc]

I agree 100% with aksarben. College basketball is not a venue where booze should be sold. Save it for pro boxing and pro baseball where the tradition is firmly in place. There will always be some jerk who overdoes it and ruins the atmosphere for those around who may have brought children. Unfortunately the almighty dollar will probably make the decision and the folks who are in charge will base their judgement upon the profit which can potentially be reaped versus the whining from bar owners who feel it is hurting their business. And I am not a blue hair-I don't need no stinkin' hair.

[ajb5856]

I did see that and I sincerely hope this is not the case. There are plenty of bars just outside the arena where they can do that, why bring that atmosphere into the arena? I know I'll be chided for my comment so I'll say - this I'm 59 years old (call me a blue hair if you wish but my hair is still naturally brown), have never drank a day in my life. I'm OK with people having a drink if that's what they choose to do as long as it doesn't go overboard which is what tends to happen in these situations, night games at Memorial Stadium are a perfect example of this and they don't even serve booze in the place.

I would argue that serving in Memorial Stadium and PBA might help the problem. As you mentioned, people are going overboard anyway, outside of Memorial stadium and at the many establishments in the railyard and surrounding area right outside PBA. I'm not going to argue that there wouldn't be ANY problems because there are problem people already. I tend to think people go overboard and get extra lit up because they know they can't buy a drink in Memorial/PBA. People won't drink $9 beers as fast as they would the free Busch Lights out of their buddy's cooler at the tailgate.

[49r]

I'm not sure our hallways are adequate enough to handle the extra traffic that beer sales would generate.

[Huskerpapa]

The good news IF alcohol is served, it will be difficult to get drunk due to the price of a glass, but you will be able to get lit just enough to become obnoxious

[throwback]

Not sure how I feel about it - good point on the narrow hallways though

 

I am surprised it's coming up now. NU doesn't appear to need extra money that this would generate and we're selling plenty of tickets without it. Plus NU is close to getting its full B1G financial share, so money really shouldn't be a concern on NU's end to make this decision.

 

Have to think this is all City of Lincoln's idea. I'm not sure how the concessions split goes at PBA between the city & NU, but the city needs to pay the bills & alcohol sales would definitely help.

 

It's inevitable that it will happen, but I'm surprised it even is a serious discussion point in just the arena's 3rd year. I figured it would take a decade or more.

 

Have to admit, it always does make me a little sad when I see those beer taps going unused. 

[HuskerFever]

Hate to say it, but people go "overboard" because they don't serve alcohol in the stadium. So these college students (only a handful in the thousands that are there) end up getting enough to last through the game.

 

I've been to many professional baseball, hockey, football, and basketball games and many college football and basketball games that serve alcohol and the world never froze over. But sure, that's not to say that one person can't ruin it for the rest of us. That's with everything in life though.

[hhcmatt]

Here is what we know: The city is doing a study on how they have the PBA's finances split up

It's supposed to be done in late August. Hopefully this will be a definitive answer on whether it's just a matter of shifting money between the multiple companies that run the facility or if there is actual financial problems. I suspect that projected revenue from alcohol sales at basketball games will be part of report.

 

Currently the arena is structured for UNL to receive a credit for concessions.

Also, the University has to approve any alcohol sales.

If we're still selling a lot of tickets, what is the motivation for Nebraska to alcohol sales at the PBA?  

I suppose if we think that the revenue is going to be worthwhile and we can negotiate a bigger piece of concessions revenue (seems like saying we're not interested in serving alcohol is a good stance when re-negotiating a contract), we might be interested.

 

While our non-conference schedule definitely could use some liquid enhancement, I just don't see us biting.

[Fullbacksympathy]

I fully support anything that can help the operational costs at PBA, including selling alcohol.  The deal they gave UNL has really hurt their chances of being solvent, particularly when the full payments begin in 2019.  UNL should pony up a lot more money to be a tenant now that they have a ton of money from the BIG sharing if they care about the well-being of the city.  If they don't, it's going to fall back on taxpayers.  That said, I'm not sure UNL feels responsible for taxpayers since they simply took a deal that was offered.  Tough call.  Alcohol sales going to PBA operations might be a way for UNL to compromise without having to pony up any cash. 

[1sdpad2]

This is a little off topic, but this Last Week Tonight episode is pretty funny.  I know I'm in the minority of not supporting this arena being paid by tax dollars.  As someone mentioned above in a few years the tax revenue from the bar and hotel occupation tax needs to double to break even.  We are not even getting enough in the occupational tax right now when lower payments are due.  How are the tax revenues going to double in five more years?  I see no way this is going to work out.  My property taxes went up 56,000 this coming year.  I don't live in anything near a mansion.  Something has to give as this is not supporting itself.  Even with all the newness of everything in the haymarket, it is not supporting itself.  I'm disappointed , but this is exactly what I thought would happen.  

 

[jimmykc]

The only fair thing is to make Warren Buffet pay for everything and make concessions free for the rest of us. Or if Warren doesn't care to pony up, then the federal government should take over so that we can all continue to enjoy our constitutional right to pursue happiness.

[trickey]

My property taxes went up 56,000 this coming year.  I don't live in anything near a mansion.

I am guessing you did not mean your taxes went up $56,000...because you would not be near a mansion you would be in it, but it would probably be in Newport.

[1sdpad2]

 

My property taxes went up 56,000 this coming year.  I don't live in anything near a mansion.

I am guessing you did not mean your taxes went up $56,000...because you would not be near a mansion you would be in it, but it would probably be in Newport.

 

oops yeah, assessed value up 56,000.  I think it will amount to $100 a month in escrow.   

[colhusker]

I think we all have missed the key issue here which is

 

"What would Creighton do?" 

[bkamler]

Could it be that the suite owners whose continuing donations are needed are pushing for alcohol sales to enhance the atmosphere in their boxes for their corporate guests?

[HF_]

Booze is already flowing in the suites with a wink and a nod, just like it is at football games.

[BannedAccount]

I don't get the big deal and people so opposed to serving alcohol at a basketball game?  I get my drink on before games and am pretty good to go by the time the game starts.  If they served beer there I would maybe drink less prior to the games and have one or two inside the arena.  The price will deter most people from having too much to make an impact.  Just cause there is beer sold doesn't mean everyone will all of a sudden become a drunk jerk swearing all the time.  They serve beer in NBA games, and other college basketball games and it seems to not be a problem.  I think T.O. has brainwashed husker fans that beer is the devil and husker fans are too good to need that at games.  Go tailgate before a football game or hangout at the railyard before basketball games.  People are already drunk or drinking heavily.  If it helps with revenue and is controlled and monitored there will be no problems.  

[Huskerpapa]

I am not sure it is a BIG deal, yet I can understand the basic premise of the issue/argument.  I would think the same reasoning holds true at youth and/or high school games.  Times have changed, but in the not so distant past, you simply did not mix events involving youth with alcohol.  If adults are playing the game, then alcohol was less of an issue.   It is the type of subject that can tend to provide polorized opinions.

[bobcat402]

i tend to agree with other posters, in that the price of the alcohol it will deter over consumption. I'm 27 and there is not chance in hell, im dropping $40 for 4-5 beers when i can just as easily drink before or after for much less. If it generates revenue and helps drop the expense of other items at the stadium or arena than go for it. Cut it off before the 4th qtr, or 10min to go in the Second Half and shouldn't be any problems. One item to consider, if people are concerned about the rowdiness of students, or the intoxication of students, make them come earlier before they usually do, separate them into two lines, 21+, and Under 21 and give them Breathalyzers, if you are over 21, and blow over the legal limit to drive, you cant enter, and you can maintain the zero tolerance policy for the minors. That way you can promote the proper level of safety you desire for all of the fans that attend the game. Personally i don't think this needs to happen as its merely a small portion of the fan base