Alcohol Sales

[Pitt79]

I need to start hanging out with you at these games. Don't get me started about Baltimore, made the mistake of going to some ravens/steeler games wearing a steeler jersey.. I had a group trying to fight me before I got out of the car..

Baltimore, I went to 7 of 8 of the 1st meetings with the Ravens there, last time was 2002 I believe? Yes I quit going because the Ravens fans became over the top antagonistic there. But I'm not lying about going to Steelers games and never seeing fights. I mean, I'm laid back and friendly in person, every time I go I always make a point of reaching out to opposing fans for conversation, I mean I even ended up inviting 4 Patriots fans back to my tailgate party after they beat us once, because basically, I'm not a dick hater like most people are, we had a good time too. So for whatever reason, for me, witnessing or being involved in conflicts has never been my experience at Steelers games beyond 3-4 times in 70 visits.

 

[Swervin27]

Baltimore, I went to 7 of 8 of the 1st meetings with the Ravens there, last time was 2002 I believe? Yes I quit going because the Ravens fans became over the top antagonistic there. But I'm not lying about going to Steelers games and never seeing fights. I mean, I'm laid back and friendly in person, every time I go I always make a point of reaching out to opposing fans for conversation, I mean I even ended up inviting 4 Patriots fans back to my tailgate party after they beat us once, because basically, I'm not a dick hater like most people are, we had a good time too. So for whatever reason, for me, witnessing or being involved in conflicts has never been my experience at Steelers games beyond 3-4 times in 70 visits.

I guess I am just around too many "dick haters" I am over going to game though, cant for the life of me understand why in this day and age, someone would buy season tickets when you can watch it at home. Went to a ton of games when I was younger but that's because it's fun as hell to drink 6 hours before game in a parking lot.. Well it's still fun but when you are 17, you don't have anything else to do..

 

[ddc17]

You guys are acting like a few beers are going to cause some terrible thing to happen. I grew up in Philly going to Eagles and Phillies games since I was 4 years old and saw and heard some terrible things, but I graduated from Pitt with a finance degree in 4 years and have had a very successful career thus far. If you are afraid of your children being exposed to inappropriate content you should ensure that they do not have any smart phones or tablets until they are 18 as well. If you as a parent can't explain to your children that some behavior that they will see in the world is inappropriate and should not be repeated you have bigger issues.

 

[upj87]

You guys are acting like a few beers are going to cause some terrible thing to happen. I grew up in Philly going to Eagles and Phillies games since I was 4 years old and saw and heard some terrible things, but I graduated from Pitt with a finance degree in 4 years and have had a very successful career thus far. If you are afraid of your children being exposed to inappropriate content you should ensure that they do not have any smart phones or tablets until they are 18 as well. If you as a parent can't explain to your children that some behavior that they will see in the world is inappropriate and should not be repeated you have bigger issues.

Geez, my kid just got accepted to Pitt last month and is going to major in Finance...small world. In your opinion, good program and student support for finance at Pitt?

 

[JoseLind13]

You can make a valid argument for additional concession revenue, but the claim that alcohol will notably increase attendance is false. This was shown in detail in one of the dozens of prior board threads on this topic. It showed average attendance was not impacted after sales were allowed at the colleges that started selling it in recent years. Winning pct was still the only strong correlation for attendance changes.

I'm not really heartbroken either way on this decision, but if your only reason for not going to games is because you can't have a drink for 3.5 hours, then I doubt you were going become a devoted long-term program supporter anyway, IMO.

 

[big marty]

I bet if beer was just served in upper deck there would be less yellow seats . Just try it. If things get out of hand stop it. Louisville and Cincinati say they have had zero issues.

 

[Pitt79]

Went to a ton of games when I was younger but that's because it's fun as hell to drink 6 hours before game in a parking lot.. Well it's still fun but when you are 17, you don't have anything else to do..

I'm 56, I don't have season tickets, I go to maybe one or two games per year, for me it's a special day every year, and I'll drop dead before I get to the point that I will NEVER HAVE time to set aside a day or two a year and NOT have something else to do so I can DROP EVERYTHING and go drink for 6 hours in a parking lot because it's still fun as hell. I would think that might even be among the best places to actually drop dead in the end.

 

[Swervin27]

I'm 56, I don't have season tickets, I go to maybe one or two games per year, for me it's a special day every year, and I'll drop dead before I get to the point that I will NEVER HAVE time to set aside a day or two a year and NOT have something else to do so I can DROP EVERYTHING and go drink for 6 hours in a parking lot because it's still fun as hell. I would think that might even be among the best places to actually drop dead in the end.

DEATH BY TAILGATE.. this would no doubt, put you in immediate legendary status among the Pantherlair faithful.

 

[Pitt79]

DEATH BY TAILGATE.. this would no doubt, put you in immediate legendary status among the Pantherlair faithful.

I'm sure it's happened before. I have just come to believe that the only reason to actually make the effort to physically go to a football game is if it's also a big party and you get together with friends, eat, drink, socialize, whatever? if you just want to see the game, TV is way better and way more convenient. So why go through that huge hassle if there's nothing more when you get there than seeing the game, but not as well.

 

[ddc17]

Geez, my kid just got accepted to Pitt last month and is going to major in Finance...small world. In your opinion, good program and student support for finance at Pitt?

Great program he will be very challenged by the work, but it will pay off when he begins his career. The Career Services for the business school are better than A&S as he can have mock interviews and resume advice that is very valuable. I was able to start my career very successfully in consulting with 2 of the leading firms. If you or your son has any questions or if I can help out in any way please send me an email at ddc017@gmail.com or come visit me in section 111

 

[medixman]

Didn't this board blast WVU when Luck started selling beer at Mountaineer Field!Gee how opinion change when the tide turns!

 

[Pitt79]

Didn't this board blast WVU when Luck started selling beer at Mountaineer Field!Gee how opinion change when the tide turns!

Not everybody, I've always be smart enough to realize selling beer is a good idea, going back to my student days, instead of sneaking a 6 pack into Pitt Stadium in those baggy sweatpants, I might have bought beer.

 

[Teh Teh]

yes, my educated guess it is affects night games slightly more. I'm very familiar with USF and when they were good in the late 2000's, night games + beer sales made it one huge party.

the past few years? You could have been giving fans hookers and beer and still nobody was coming.

Were hookers an option? You are broaching on James Franklin's turf now, he may back hand you

 

[OriginalEther]

and this guy is exactly why Kirk Herbstreit makes comments about Pitt fans and Heinz field being a perfect environment for an opposing QB.. Hey, anyone have a knitted blanket for teh teh? His legs get cold at the games and needs to keep warm..

Are you trying to tell me Pitt fans need alcohol to be loud and to cheer the team?
You realize how lame that is?

 

[Swervin27]

Are you trying to tell me Pitt fans need alcohol to be loud and to cheer the team?
You realize how lame that is?

"Needs" is a strong word but yes, it helps tremendously.. You ever been to a dry reception? Compare that to one with an open bar reception.. You ever see a sober person do the chicken dance? YMCA dance, Jump up and shout now, jump up and shout now? Of course not.. Dry receptions, you sit there, eat cake, and wonder how long you have to wait to leave so it's not rude anymore..

 

[bwh05]

I had no problem with WVU selling beer. All they did was make people pay for what they used to be able to do outside in the parking lot at halftime. That's smart business.

As for the "OH WON"T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!" argument..to that I say grow up. I've got news for you, most of these kids drink before and after the games, even the underage ones. They get shuttled back to Pitt for the most part so who gives a crap if a couple beers get into the hands of people under 21. Many of them leave early (as is often pointed out here) before the game ends to go get their buzz back. I see very little downside to allowing alcohol sales.

 

[ClarkLotTgate]

before posting my thoughts, i'll discolse some demographic info, which might help explain my thoughts.

I'm 32, single, have a grad degree, no children or spouse (have gf lol) and didn't go to Pitt, but am from the area. Father is a letterman from pitt (not football). Basically I'm the demographic/typical person living in the area that Pitt needs to connect with in order to fill the stadium, buy the merchandise, and hate on PSU (25-40 yr olds with expendable income, who choose to attend and support Pitt's teams, not those who feel obligated cause they went to pitt. There are certainly more non-pitt grads living in the area, and this is your target growth market)

For those who are totally against open alcohol sales... simple question "do you go to PNC park and support the Pirates?" if you do... I'm sorry but you've already lost your argument that booze n beer will ruin the experience for those who aren't drinking/don't want to put up with a drunk. If you don't go to PNC because of alcohol sales and the tiny risk someone will over drink and act/say offensive things, then you are absolutely entitled to hold the same view of Pitt @ Heinz.

I have had season tickets for 7-8 years, and i buy two so i can bring a friend/guest etc. The look on their faces when i tell them there are no alcohol sales in the stadium is astonishment. most or all of these people went to other colleges, where it's normal to be able to get a beer during the game. It definitely causes people to want to leave at halftime, or in the 3rd quarter, especially during bad weather and blowouts.

No alcohol sales also makes it tougher when there isn't time to go to a tailgate for a few hours etc. Sorry but i like to drink when i go to sporting events, and i'm sure someone with more time on their hands can find a study that agrees the majority of sports fans like to have a beer at a game. This leads to things like "I can't make the tailgate, and no way am i sitting through a game against an FCS school....sober"

Solution=Compromise.
1) family friendly sections where no alcohol is permitted and there is additional crowd control staff.
2) only sell beer
3) use a portion of the alcohol sales to do student in-game promotions, like partial scholarship FG kick etc.

It's all about making it a better experience for the market you want to attract.

 

[Swervin27]

I had no problem with WVU selling beer. All they did was make people pay for what they used to be able to do outside in the parking lot at halftime. That's smart business.

As for the "OH WON"T SOMEONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!!" argument..to that I say grow up. I've got news for you, most of these kids drink before and after the games, even the underage ones. They get shuttled back to Pitt for the most part so who gives a crap if a couple beers get into the hands of people under 21. Many of them leave early (as is often pointed out here) before the game ends to go get their buzz back. I see very little downside to allowing alcohol sales.

yeah, that was a good move by wvu. As a former student who went to many games, you left at halftime to crank down as many as you can in short order and come back to catch the 3rd quarter.

 

[Jim Z]

PITTLAW has a valid argument here. Depending on what % of the concessions goes to Pitt, it is pointless to add additional sales if the revenue generated isn't going to significantly help the school.

If I remember correctly I think WVU made 700K net profit from alcohol sales a year or two ago and I'm sure their situation is much more advantageous. So is it really worth it?

Its not just the revenue generated by the beer sales it's the hoped for ticket sales increase it would attract

 

[upj87]

"Needs" is a strong word but yes, it helps tremendously.. You ever been to a dry reception? Compare that to one with an open bar reception.. You ever see a sober person do the chicken dance? YMCA dance, Jump up and shout now, jump up and shout now? Of course not.. Dry receptions, you sit there, eat cake, and wonder how long you have to wait to leave so it's not rude anymore..

the reception is before the game...who the hell can afford to get rowdy drunk drinking $10 beers during the game?....

 

[PITTLAW]

Its not just the revenue generated by the beer sales it's the hoped for ticket sales increase it would attract

I'm not against alcohol sales in the stadium. However, there is no evidence that selling alcohol will improve attendance at Pitt football games. Take a look at WVU attendance to see what impact alcohol sales has made on their attendance--and I believe you will find it to be next to ZERO. It sounds good...but I do not think there are facts to support it...winning is much more important factor in driving attendance and ticket sales--ask Syracuse that has been pouring beer for years. Hail to Pitt!

 

[TIGER-PAUL]

Agree, but I say they could try it in a limited way as long as there are 20k unsold seats generating absolutely nothing year after year.

 

[ClarkLotTgate]

WVU's attendance problems have nothing to do with beer sales.
-it has to do with being in the big12.

Pens sell beer
Steelers sell beer
Pirates sell beer
Wild Things sell beer
Riverhounds sell beer
(i have no clue about the women's football team)
Duquense Dukes sell beer at AJ
There is even beer at the City Game for Pete (pun intended) sake!

 

[Swervin27]

the reception is before the game...who the hell can afford to get rowdy drunk drinking $10 beers during the game?....

you don't. You get rowdy drunk before the game and you maintain the rowdiness thru the game.. You ever been young and broke? You don't go to a bar sober, you get weird at home or a buddy's house first then you go to the bar and finish yourself off..

 

[PITTLAW]

WVU's attendance problems have nothing to do with beer sales.
-it has to do with being in the big12.

Pens sell beer
Steelers sell beer
Pirates sell beer
Wild Things sell beer
Riverhounds sell beer
(i have no clue about the women's football team)
Duquense Dukes sell beer at AJ
There is even beer at the City Game for Pete (pun intended) sake!

Dope, nobody was suggesting that beer sales were negatively impacting WVU's attendance. What I was suggesting was that beer sales do not drive or even marginally improve [help] attendance at sporting events--and in particular, Pitt football games. If you want beer, you can get far better and far cheaper beer at non-sports venues. Hail to Pitt!

 

[JoseLind13]

I have had season tickets for 7-8 years, and i buy two so i can bring a friend/guest etc. The look on their faces when i tell them there are no alcohol sales in the stadium is astonishment. most or all of these people went to other colleges, where it's normal to be able to get a beer during the game. It definitely causes people to want to leave at halftime, or in the 3rd quarter, especially during bad weather and blowouts.

Hmmm... If they are a similar age to you, then there were probably less than a dozen FBS college stadiums across the entire United States that sold beer when you graduated. There were only 34 schools in 2015... significantly up from the 21 stadiums that sold it one year prior in 2014.

I doubt fans leaving during bad weather and blowouts are sticking around to drink $8 beers. They will be going home or back to their tailgates; just like they do now. Pitt's history with Heinz is that they will follow NFL/Steelers policy. Beer sales to the seating areas at Heinz stop the end of the 3rd quarter (and have even stopped at half-time for some playoff games), so there is a big hole in your 3rd quarter exit argument.

Again, I'm not starkly against beer sales, but the arguments that this is a major blockade to attendance and fan engagement are simply weak. Attendance will not spike, as already proven by other schools. Pitt has shown that the Heinz atmosphere can become electric during the very few big national stage games played there, so I'm not motivated to agree that change is at all necessary.

 

[ThePanthers]

BEER, BEER, BEER!

 

[mdpitt]

There have been many discussions around selling alcohol in the stadium outside of the already offered club seats. I have not heard much lately whether this is on the table for the 2016 season but saw an article where TX makes more than half of their concession revenues from selling booze.

Thoughts?


Link: Alcohol accounts for more than half of Longhorns' concession sales

People with a drink in them are louder which leads to a home field advantage. If it makes dollars, it makes sense.

 

[big marty]

before posting my thoughts, i'll discolse some demographic info, which might help explain my thoughts.

I'm 32, single, have a grad degree, no children or spouse (have gf lol) and didn't go to Pitt, but am from the area. Father is a letterman from pitt (not football). Basically I'm the demographic/typical person living in the area that Pitt needs to connect with in order to fill the stadium, buy the merchandise, and hate on PSU (25-40 yr olds with expendable income, who choose to attend and support Pitt's teams, not those who feel obligated cause they went to pitt. There are certainly more non-pitt grads living in the area, and this is your target growth market)

For those who are totally against open alcohol sales... simple question "do you go to PNC park and support the Pirates?" if you do... I'm sorry but you've already lost your argument that booze n beer will ruin the experience for those who aren't drinking/don't want to put up with a drunk. If you don't go to PNC because of alcohol sales and the tiny risk someone will over drink and act/say offensive things, then you are absolutely entitled to hold the same view of Pitt @ Heinz.

I have had season tickets for 7-8 years, and i buy two so i can bring a friend/guest etc. The look on their faces when i tell them there are no alcohol sales in the stadium is astonishment. most or all of these people went to other colleges, where it's normal to be able to get a beer during the game. It definitely causes people to want to leave at halftime, or in the 3rd quarter, especially during bad weather and blowouts.

No alcohol sales also makes it tougher when there isn't time to go to a tailgate for a few hours etc. Sorry but i like to drink when i go to sporting events, and i'm sure someone with more time on their hands can find a study that agrees the majority of sports fans like to have a beer at a game. This leads to things like "I can't make the tailgate, and no way am i sitting through a game against an FCS school....sober"

Solution=Compromise.
1) family friendly sections where no alcohol is permitted and there is additional crowd control staff.
2) only sell beer
3) use a portion of the alcohol sales to do student in-game promotions, like partial scholarship FG kick etc.

It's all about making it a better experience for the market you want to attract.

 

[big marty]

Enough said. Thank you.

 

[BFo8]

Everyone here keeps mentioning beer. Are the antis against any alcohol whatsoever or would they be willing to accept a beer only compromise?

When I go to a basketball game now I usually have a couple Jack and waters and maybe one beer. For the older crowd having the wine/liquor option is convenient. Be able to sip on a cocktail after work while enjoying a game can be a good thing.

 

[Pres.]

Pitt79, it's much worse than a couple F bombs. The next time I go to a Steeler game and don't witness a fist fight will be my first.. And that is no exaggeration.. Not the end of the world, these fights aren't exactly "Balboa vs. Tommy Gunn"esque, more like a couple drunk guys throwing missed haymakers at another drunk guy.. When you are 18, yeah it's funny as hell.. When it's you and a couple of buddies then who gives a crap..but still, not exactly something I want my little kids to see

What a load of garbage. I've never seen a fist fight at a steeler game.

 

[bwh05]

I've never seen one inside the stadium either, and I've been to at least one Steeler game a year for the past 20 years. Many of those were playoff games and night games. There are drunk people and idiots but it's nothing worse than anyplace else.

 

[BFo8]

I've never seen one inside the stadium either, and I've been to at least one Steeler game a year for the past 20 years. Many of those were playoff games and night games. There are drunk people and idiots but it's nothing worse than anyplace else.

Probably been to 20-30 Steeler games lifetime and saw maybe one or two scuffles in the stadium, nothing serious.

Had Pitt season tickets from early 1980's to 2001 and don't think I ever saw a fight.

 

[Pitt79]

What a load of garbage. I've never seen a fist fight at a steeler game.

I think I've seen 3, one in Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium, one at Heinz Field and one at 3 Rivers, that's attending about 60 Steelers games since 1989.

 

[NTOP]

Why not designate a decent amount of sections on one side of the stadium as family zones? That is, no outlandishly drunken behavior and foul language allowed?

???? So outlandishly drunken behavior and foul language should be allowed, anywhere?? Let's concentrate all the idiots so they can REALLY act badly. Sheeesh.

 

[NTOP]

I think I've seen 3, one in Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium, one at Heinz Field and one at 3 Rivers, that's attending about 60 Steelers games since 1989.

With 10 beers pre-game, you are probably just blind during games. It's NOT a football problem.

 

[KiwiJeff]

With 10 beers pre-game, you are probably just blind during games. It's NOT a football problem.

Yeah, drinking ten beers at any age is probably silly, but in your 40s, you may need some serious help. I never understood why people find it necessary to be fall down drunk to enjoy football, unless you are a Browns fan.

 

[Swervin27]

Yeah, drinking ten beers at any age is probably silly, but in your 40s, you may need some serious help. I never understood why people find it necessary to be fall down drunk to enjoy football, unless you are a Browns fan.

Fall down drunk may be too much but I went to a bucco - nats game in DC a few years back. Sitting there and I get this really weird feeling, like something is different. Cant put my finger on it, bothering the heck out of me. FInally I realize, I am dead sober, I mean not one drop of booze in me. I try to think back of the last time I was at a sporting event (college or professional) where I didn't drink at all and honestly, I have to go back to very early high school. It's just fact, alcohol goes with sports. Or maybe I am just a drunk..

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

we are not alcoholics, we are drunks.....alcoholics go to meetings...try to keep up....

LOL that's funny