(Unintended) Consequences of initiating an alcohol sales policy at college football stadiums: A case study

Abstract

University officials are increasingly considering selling alcoholic beverages at campus football stadiums. To inform this decision, we report on offenses occurring at a campus football stadium and surrounding community on game day weekends between 2009 and 2013. Campus police log data for 35 home football weekends were examined, accounting for 1,940 distinct incidents. There was a general upward trend in crime incidents. On average, 330 total crime incidents occurred when alcohol was not sold (2009-2011) compared to 475 annually when alcohol was sold (2012-2013). Liquor law violations and alcohol consumption by a minor were the two most frequently cited offenses. Liquor law violations (317) was highest after alcohol sales initiated. Police incidents were markedly higher when playing a traditional football rival at home. College administrators, health officials, athletic departments, and local law enforcement must work together to weigh the potential benefit of enhanced financial profit against the risk of increased alcohol-related crime.

The Impact of Alcohol Sales in A College Football Stadium on Healthcare Utilization

“…While there was an abundance of EMS calls and ED visits within the dates studied, it will be important to analyze longitudinal trends, as was done over a three-year period in Barry’s 2019 study. 11 Another limitation of our study is the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. While 2020 was excluded due to the effects of the pandemic, it is possible that the 2021 data was also affected by the personal and institutional responses to the pandemic.…”

“…9,10 Researchers at a large Midwestern university found a linear increase in alcohol-related incidents in the three years after the implementation of stadium alcohol sales. 11 An analysis of police campus records from 12 Division 1 football universities found that criminal incidents were significantly more common on game days than non-game days, but that there was no significant increase in incidents following the introduction of in-stadium sales. 6 Although the health impact of alcohol sales is unclear, the financial benefit to the university is more predictable.…”

You Booze, You Lose? Spillovers to Crime from Alcohol Sales at College Football Games

“…Studying the impact of alcohol sales adoption, Barry et al (2019) find that criminal incidents increased for an FBS school (identity of school not disclosed) in the two years after alcohol sales were instituted, relative to the level of incidents in the three years preceding the policy change. Similarly, using an expanded sample of seven FBS schools, some of which sell alcohol on game days, Menaker and Chaney (2014) find some evidence that alcohol sales are positively correlated with alcohol-related arrests, although the strongest positive correlation is found for attendance and crime.…”

“…However, it is theoretically ambiguous whether game day alcohol sales contribute to increased alcohol consumption and intoxication. Until very recently, little was known empirically about the crime-related consequences of stadium alcohol policies, apart from a handful of case studies (Barry et al, 2019; Bormann & Stone, 2001; Boyes & Faith, 1993; Menaker & Chaney, 2014). In a working paper, Blemings (2020) finds that the introduction of alcohol sales at FBS college football games is associated with reductions in crime for 21-to-23 year-olds (compared to 18-to-20 year-olds) on home game days.…”

“…To date, there have been a few case studies (Barry et al, 2019; Bormann & Stone, 2001; Boyes & Faith, 1993; Menaker & Chaney, 2014) and one panel study (Blemings, 2020) that have examined the impact of alcohol sales at college football games on crime. 9 Boyes and Faith (1993) study a ban on bringing alcohol into the stadium on game days at Arizona State University.…”