U of M Regents Approve Alcohol Sales at Gopher Games

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents voted Wednesday to allow alcohol to be sold at Gopher home games.

The Board of Regents passed the resolution to sell beer in certain sections of TCF Bank Stadium and Mariucci and Williams Arenas.

They could also sell wine, based on what vendor they choose.

There are a total of twelve regents, and one regent was absent for the vote. The resolution passed ten to one. Regent Venora Hung voted against the resolution.

People can only buy two beers per purchase, and they'd be allowed to drink in a designated area or back at their seats. The university would add extra security, and would also create a program to get people home safely who drank too much.

"We see this as really a two-year pilot project that will allow us to try it out and adjust as necessary," said Amy Phenix, chief of staff to University of Minnesota President Eric Khaler.

Minnesota is the only school in the Big Ten to serve alcohol to general stadium seating, not just luxury suites.

The school estimates they'll make $1 million to $1.5 million of new revenue each year. Most of the revenue will come from increasing the price of premium seats.