Michigan legislators advance plan to allow alcohol sales at university sporting events

Michigan legislators have moved forward a plan to allow public alcohol sales at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, as well as other schools.

Multiple reports Tuesday morning said that a legislative committee voted to lift Michigan’s ban on public alcohol sales at university sporting events, such as B1G games and concerts, per David Eggert.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo and would allow schools to obtain licenses to sell alcohol at their games for up to 100 days each year and at other events, such as concerts, for an additional 5 days each year.

“If things go well, maybe fans have beers in their hands in the fall,” McCann said after the committee vote, according to the Detroit News.

For the proposed policy to take effect in the coming months, it also has to be approved by the full House and gain Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature. It needs two-thirds support in the Senate. As it stands now, 11 of the 14 universities in the B1G allow alcohol sales. The 3 that don’t are MSU, U-M and Nebraska.

Keith Farner

Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.