Georgia's New Alcohol Consumption Rules at Sanford Stadium Are Straight Garbage
By Austin Pert
To sell beer or not to sell beer? College football programs are being faced with that question more and more these days, with the goal being to be able to provide a balance between revenue and fan conduct/safety.
Add the University of Georgia to the growing list of schools that have given the okay for beer and wine to be sold and consumed within the walls of the stadium. But in order to be able to enjoy a cold one between the hedges, you're going to have to belong to an exclusive club first.
Georgia will be selling beer at its football stadium this season. The only people eligible are donors who donate $25,000 over five years. Beer has to be consumed in special area and cannot be brought back to their seats.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 30, 2019
So what's the point of allowing booze if fans cannot watch the game from the controlled environment that they will be forced to drink from? Is this college football, or some sort of country club?
UGA to sell beer and wine to select donors in Sanford Stadium, but alcohol sales may not be stadium-wide even if SEC changes its policy this week. https://t.co/9OLGrRPRmT pic.twitter.com/Nwa2tqqHsq
— Marc Weiszer (@marcweiszer) May 29, 2019
It is unclear whether the policy may be additionally loosened if the SEC votes to rescind their conference rule banning stadium-wide alcohol consumption at its Spring Meetings this week.
Currently, LSU and Missouri allow controlled alcohol sales in some parts of their stadiums, and Florida tested out the concept of a "beer garden" outside of its stadium this spring.
As college football attendance has taken a dip these past few years, alcohol sales could provide an incentive for fans to show back up at the stadium.