UofA basketball arena gets state approval to sell beer, wine
Mar 16, 2018, 4:25 AM
(Instagram Photo)
PHOENIX — Fans of the University of Arizona Wildcats will soon be able to drink a beer while watching some basketball.
The Arizona State Liquor Board unanimously approved a proposal to sell beer and wine at the McKale Center on Thursday, according to KGUN.
The proposal was pushed to the state board due to a public protest, the publication said. Those who were protesting the proposal were not present for the public hearing.
University officials were initially hoping to start selling alcohol early this year.
Arizona Athletic Director Dave Heeke announced in October that the university was in talks with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control to get alcohol into the McKale Center.
Heeke said the athletics department would contract with a third-party company to sell and serve the alcohol, as it does at Hi-Corbett Field for baseball games.
Heeke said serving alcohol “is more about enhancing the fan experience than it is about generating additional revenue, which may be minimal.”
Heeke said the university is also considering serving alcohol at Arizona Stadium for football games, but he said there is no current plan in place.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.