'People are flat-out slobs': Jamie Pollard
- Thread starter johnstoncy
- Start date
Sales doesn’t equate profit. But okay.
I don’t care either way if we sell beer or not, I’m just amused by those who think it’s some profit generator.
Your analogy fails when I couldn’t care less if we sold beer or not. Again, I’m just amused by some who think it’s some even decent profit generator, because it really isn’t when you take away overhead.
Iowa State would clear $1 million on beer sales and you dont think that is a decent profit generator?
What is your source? Because this assertion is contrary to logic and everything I've heard about the food/beverage industry.
Our church is considering selling beer during services rather than passing the hat for donations. I referred them to this thread to help them make their decision as there is a lot of useful information contained within.
I'll report back with their decision
Honestly, I see both sides and don't care either way. Personally I would go to a bar to drink, a restaurant to eat, and a stadium or venue to watch a football or basketball game and expect none of them to satisfy all my wants (or needs)
I'll report back with their decision
Honestly, I see both sides and don't care either way. Personally I would go to a bar to drink, a restaurant to eat, and a stadium or venue to watch a football or basketball game and expect none of them to satisfy all my wants (or needs)
I’ll admit Iowa State would probably clear a million in profit, surely. Sales doesn’t equate profit. $1 million by percentage of total windfall and total athletic revenue, is not that impressive.
Stadium overhead is clearly far different but your run of the mill food/beverage account.
I’ve been around the industry one way or another for well over a decade. The margins on alcohol in are obviously great for business when it comes to a bar or restaurant, etc. Arenas and Stadiums are clearly completely different animals when it comes to overhead that cuts into your margins of profit.
I would bet close to 50% of JTS patrons bring alcohol into the stadium. It’s extremely easy to do.
At a time when they're already asking fans to donate more, passing on taxes to fans, and increasing ticket prices, at least this $1m in profit or whatever would give fans something more in return.
I think 50% is high. However, I bet the number is a hell of a lot bigger than the common folk would anticipate.
Again, I’m not disagreeing with it. I couldn’t care less if we sell booze or not. I’m just being realistic with the numbers.
Yeah, and the state is self insured, so I would think insurance costs would be much less then the normal alcohol purveyor. Beer taps in arenas are normally paid for by beer purveyors. Just had a beer at the Iowa Beer Tent at the State Fair, I am pretty sure the Taps were not paid for nor provided by the State Fair Board or tax payer dollars, and there were some people who were maybe a little loud, but not out of line. They did limit purchase to two beers at a time! And they were lots of kids in the area, and it appeared some private security, probably provided by the Iowa Craft Brewers in Tee Shirts.
Iowa generated 3.2 million from beer sales last year
Here's the thing like 80% of the schools with D1 athletics sell alcohol. North Carolina sold 4 million worth.
This is revenue not net profit.
But if it wasn't a profit generator would they still do it?
It does not solve all money issues, but its foolish to turn away from any legal $$$$. Especially when your AD is saying school has money woes.
What's the old saying "Beggers can't be choosers"
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I always find this line funny. sometimes people like going out and having a beer on one of the two days they have off during the end of a week. Why can’t they at a game? Every other stadium in every other league pretty much sells beer.
And I bet it would also cause sales of other concessions to go up. A lot of people like food with beer.
Had to rely on a clanker because I didn't want to do the research but this is what it said when i asked if beer sales make a profit instead of just revenue in college:
Yes—at many schools, alcohol sales at stadiums generate net profit (not just gross revenue), but the margin depends heavily on the sales model, security/ID compliance costs, concession contracts, and game attendance.
What the research and case data show:
Yes—at many schools, alcohol sales at stadiums generate net profit (not just gross revenue), but the margin depends heavily on the sales model, security/ID compliance costs, concession contracts, and game attendance.
What the research and case data show:
- NCAA policy shift: Since the NCAA lifted restrictions and more conferences allowed in-stadium alcohol (mid‑2010s onward), dozens of FBS programs have reported net-positive results after factoring costs.
- Publicly reported examples (media/FOIA reports):
- West Virginia University: One of the early adopters (2011). Reports indicated increased net revenue from concessions and a drop in alcohol-related incidents after implementation. WVU has repeatedly cited alcohol sales as profitable after expenses.
- University of Texas: After expanding sales (2019), Texas reportedly generated several million dollars in alcohol revenue annually; local reporting indicated a positive net even after staffing and compliance costs.
- Ohio State: Reported 7-figure annual alcohol revenue with net proceeds contributing to the athletics budget; concessions partners typically share revenue, but schools still report meaningful net.
- University of Louisville, Maryland, Minnesota, and Purdue: Various FOIA’d figures in local press show six- to seven-figure annual gross with positive net after costs.
- Industry studies:
- LEARFIELD/IMG College and concessionaires (e.g., Aramark, Levy) have presented case studies indicating alcohol programs are commonly net-positive when:
- Sales are venue-wide (not limited to premium areas),
- There’s sufficient attendance (Power Five football, men’s basketball),
- The school uses third‑party concessions (reducing fixed costs but sharing revenue),
- Compliance plans limit liability and security overtime.
- LEARFIELD/IMG College and concessionaires (e.g., Aramark, Levy) have presented case studies indicating alcohol programs are commonly net-positive when:
- Ancillary financial effects:
- Some schools observe higher per-capita spend on non-alcohol concessions (attach rate) once beer is offered, improving total net.
- Premium seating and sponsorship inventory (beer partners) can add incremental net profit beyond per-cup margins.
- Cost factors that can erode profit:
- Security and ID-check staffing, TIPS training, policy enforcement.
- Insurance and legal/compliance costs.
- Revenue splits with concessionaires and credit card fees.
- Limited game inventory (fewer home games) or low attendance.
- Profitability benchmarks (typical, from reports/case studies):
- Per-capita alcohol spend at Power Five football often ranges roughly $3–$8 per attendee.
- Contribution margins after COGS and rev-share can land around 25–45% depending on contract terms.
- Many programs report net six figures annually; some large programs clear $1M+ net across football and basketball.
- FOIA-based local reporting is best for net numbers. Search terms: “FOIA alcohol sales stadium [school name] net revenue.”
- Examples:
- “WVU beer sales profit” (Charleston Gazette-Mail, MetroNews).
- “Ohio State alcohol sales revenue FOIA” (Columbus Dispatch).
- “Texas athletics alcohol sales revenue” (Austin American-Statesman).
- “Maryland beer sales profit Xfinity Center/SECU Stadium” (Washington Post/Baltimore Sun).
- “Minnesota/Purdue alcohol sales FOIA” (Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Journal & Courier).
- Industry presentations: NACDA/NACMA panels, concessionaire white papers (Aramark, Levy) often summarize profit outcomes.
