NC: North Carolina lawmakers seek to allow alcohol sales at college sporting events
By Jason O. Boyd and WTVD
March 19, 2019
RALEIGH — A Wayne County representative is one of two who helped introduce a bill that would make selling beer and wine at college athletic events.
N.C. House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) and N.C. Senate Majority Whip Rick Gunn (R-Alamance) filed companion bills (HB 389 and SB 296) in the N.C. General Assembly on Tuesday. They would provide UNC System schools the ability to sell beer and wine at sporting events. The two announced their intentions on Twitter last week.
WTVD reports the Atlantic Coast Conference does not ban alcohol sales during games. Alcohol has been sold at ACC Tournament games for basketball and ACC Championship Game for football. Most schools at least allow the sell alcohol at games in restricted areas–typically for VIPs or more exclusive tickets. Some even sell alcohol throughout the entire venue: Lousiville, Wake Forest, Syracuse to name a few.
“For the past two years, we have had constructive conversations with university leadership, law enforcement, coaches, and students about the sale of alcohol at athletic games,” Bell said in a press release. “We believe this bill creates a positive path forward that will help improve safety while allowing our state-funded universities the ability to provide the best game day experience possible.”
“Beer and wine sales are already happening at private universities and in specialized areas at public schools in North Carolina,” Gunn said. “This bill puts in place a standardized system while providing each school with flexibility to implement it as they see fit. I believe both the safety and economic growth that comes from this bill are a win for all parties involved.”