The Univ. of South Carolina is set to offer expanded alcohol sales to the general public at athletic events in the "very near future," according to Greg Hadley of the Columbia STATE. Under the school's new policy, sales of beer and wine will "begin at Colonial Life Arena" starting with women's basketball games on Jan. 2, with subsequent baseball and football seasons. South Carolina AD Ray Tanner said that prices "would average around $8 per beer." Hadley notes at Colonial Life Arena, the infrastructure for beer and wine sales is "already in place for concerts." Meanwhile, Williams-Brice Stadium is "currently undergoing renovations scheduled to be completed before the start" of the '20 football season. Those renovations will "increase the number of premium areas where alcohol can be served." Tanner said that he was "unsure how much revenue the new policy will generate," adding that he "hoped it would reach seven figures annually but was not certain" (Columbia STATE, 12/18). In Charleston, David Cloninger notes South Carolina fans first will be able to "purchase beer or wine" at the Kentucky-South Carolina women's basketball game on Jan. 2, as the school joins a list of eight SEC basketball programs to offer beer and wine at home games. Aramark will "control how much and what products will be sold," but there will be "numerous choices for patrons." USC "stands to make" 50% of each beer poured, with more money "available due to sponsorships" (Charleston POST & COURIER, 12/18).
