919 Beer: Colleges can now tap into new revenue source

Joe Ovies on why alcohol sales make sense: What this comes down to is revenue streams. We've hit a point with a lot of colleges where the television contracts are pretty much done. The ACC has a television contract with ESPN through 2035, which won't change [unless Notre Dame joins the conference]. The ACC Network is launching in August, and while [projections] might change, you essentially know what you'll bring in with the channel. So what are the next possible sources of revenue? Really the only thing that's available right now is alcohol sales. We can get into the ins and outs of what beer sales will look like, but ultimately this is good progress. However, if you're looking for a windfall, it won't necessarily come from the beer sales themselves. Where you'll make the money is off of marketing arrangements. For instance, NC State seems to have something in the works with New Belgium where they will have their marks on a can.

Wayne Holt on changing sentiments regarding alcohol: There is a lot of legislation right now in the house and the senate trying to overhaul everything to do with alcohol in the state. I think that's a lot of pressure from people who are now in this state not originally being from this state. We've had a huge influx and we're expecting to add over a half million people in the next 15 years just in Wake County. We continue to have people moving here that are accustomed to things being very different with alcohol than they are here, especially with ABC Stores as opposed to a corner store or grocery store. I think it's going to continue to change and I think it's good for entrepreneurs and good for the consumers. You'll get more variety and better pricing.

Adam Eshbaugh on what this could mean for local craft brewers: The tricky part with all of this deals with an unpopular terms called "pay for play." You have to be a sponsor in order to have your beer in there. That's how it works at every sporting event. I was talking to a local brewery recently about their regrets in having their beer in PNC Arena. You're really at the mercy of your budget and where they're going to stick you in the building. If you're in a beer kiosk, that's one thing. If they're sticking you in an ice cream kiosk or some other food thing, there is a different perspective. If you only have one or two taps, are people going to want to go in a beer line that's constantly moving or a food thing that happens to have your beer if they don't want food. There's a lot of great options, and if one line is long because of the food, I'm going to the beer one because the line zooming through. The amount that needs to be paid to be a sponsor can be insurmountable for a little guy being tucked away in a corner somewhere. That's the number one thing I think about, "how can this benefit?" There are some that it works for, who have a good presence.

Joe Ovies on possible elimination of NC State's pass out policy: I know NC State head coach Dave Doeren is not a fan of the "pass out" policy, but there are a lot of factors as to why people don't come back for the second half of football games at Carter-Finley Stadium. It could be a blowout because of a bad non-conference opponent. It could be that it's so hot for a noon game and the concessions are so lagging that it makes more sense to go back to your tailgate for a drink and some food. Carter-Finley has so many more things they have to fix before you even get to talking about pass outs. Beer sales won't be the reason why a fan decides to stick around, there are so many factors that go into it.