Bill extends alcohol sales to Gopher hockey and football games

A member of the Minnesota House says he wants the University of Minnesota to sell alcohol at college hockey and basketball games.

DFL Rep. Dan Schoen, DFL-Cottage Grove, said his bill would extend alcohol sales to Williams and Mariucci arenas. He said the experience at football games at TCF Bank stadium has shown that beer and wine can be sold responsibly.

Schoen said all adults at Gopher hockey and basketball games should be able to buy beer, not just those who sit in luxury suites.

"If it's working up in the suites, why doesn't it work for the average fan to come in and have a beer?," Schoen said. "I'm not telling them how to run their policy. It's just saying if you're going to do it there, do it the same way. If they don't want to sell then don't sell it anywhere."

The Legislature passed a bill last year that allowed alcohol sales at the Gopher football stadium. The U of M made $900,000 in liquor sales from seven home games last season. The profits went to the university's athletic department.

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