Alcohol to be sold at more college football games this year?

In a move that could have big ramifications at college football games around the country and increase the revenue schools bring in for home games, more schools in the Big Ten conference are asking about selling alcohol at games, according to Adam Rittenberg and Brian Bennett of ESPN.

The SEC is preparing to review their alcohol policy for fans at off-campus games and LSU athletic director Joe Alleva said in March it would enhance the fan experience.

"“I don’t think that’s something that would necessarily be a negative for drunkenness and it might curtail the drunkenness if you sold beer,” Alleva told Al.com.  “Right now, they drink excessively in the parking lot before they come in because they can’t get alcohol inside. Perhaps if they had access in the stadium, they wouldn’t drink as much when they come in. I think it’s something we have to talk about. This may come down the road in the future, and I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”"

Certainly the fan experience would be enhanced if alcohol was sold like it is at professional sporting events, but of course it wouldn’t come without risk when 50-100,000 fans are jammed into a stadium after hours of tailgating outside the stadium. With college football rivalries as fierce as they come, especially in the SEC or when Ohio State and Michigan play.

Alleva spoke on Monday to Glenn Guilbeau of USA Today and thinks it’s just a matter of time until beer is sold at college events at his school.

"“As we talk about the fan experience, which is very important, I think there may come a day that we may sell beer at college events at LSU,” Alleva said on Monday, according to Guilbeau. “I think at some point—I don’t know if it will be five years from now, 10 years from now—but I think at some point, I think it’s going to happen.”"

Keeping fans inside the stadium where security can monitor the situation and fans won’t have to sneak in flasks full of Fireball or their favorite hard liquor would actually be a safer proposition than having fans bring the tailgate inside the stadium.

Further, as many decisions are often dictated, the bottom line for these stadiums would swell as alcohol sales would bring additional revenue that could fund any number of projects for the university.

Do you want your college to start selling alcohol at football and basketball games?