Michigan State board to vote on alcohol sales application for 2023 home games

EAST LANSING — Michigan State University hopes to allow alcohol sales inside Spartan Stadium at four home football games this season, according to university officials, but likely not its first two home games.

Plans are to allow alcohol sales at MSU’s home games on Sept. 16 against Washington, Sept. 23 against Maryland, Oct. 21 against Michigan and Nov. 4 against Nebraska, according to a resolution set for consideration Wednesday by the Board of Trustees.

The university doesn’t think it’s likely it will be able to obtain a state liquor license before the Sept. 1 season opener against Central Michigan or the Sept. 9 game against Richmond, MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant said Tuesday.

“What's out of our control is how quickly or slowly the liquor control commission is going to be able to get to our permits,” Guerrant said. Guerrant said the Sept. 16 game provides the most likely circumstances for Michigan Liquor Control Commission license approval and university logistic changes to allow sales.

The Michigan Legislature approved alcohol sales in public university stadiums and sports arenas beginning this year in a series of bipartisan votes. The change was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July, and took effect immediately because of the measure's broad support.

MSU would be the tenth Big Ten university to allow alcohol sales to the general public at home football games, with Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Northwestern still not allowing sales or only offering boozy beverages in high-donor suites. People using Spartan Stadium suites have been allowed to buy and consume alcohol because they aren't connected to Spartan Stadium.

The Michigan State Board of Trustees will conduct a special meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday to consider allowing the administration to submit liquor license applications for Spartan Stadium, the Breslin Center, Munn Ice Arena and Old College Field, which includes soccer, baseball and softball stadiums.

Jeannie Vogel, spokesperson for the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, said the application process can take weeks — or even months — from the submission of application until an entity can begin selling alcohol.

“Every application is slightly different from the next, so it is difficult to specify a definite number of days, weeks, or months for an application to be completed,” Vogel said in an email. “The MLCC attempts to process and review all applications in a timely manner.”

Vogel said applications and responses are considered in order by the date received and there are no guaranteed dates by which an application may be approved. The timeline depends most on the applicants’ responsiveness and thoroughness with the process, she added.

Guerrant said the university’s government relations team has been in contact with the MLCC, but has not received assurances that permits will be granted by any specific date.

Revenue from alcohol sales, once approved, will be split among Student Life and Engagement, University Health and Wellbeing, MSU Athletics and “toward health promotion.”

Marlon Lynch, vice president and chief safety officer for MSU, said in June that other Big Ten universities with in-stadium alcohol sales have not seen increases in alcohol-related incidents nor the need for increased police staffing. He attributed that to a decrease in binge-drinking by tailgaters and others outside stadiums before games, since adult attendees know alcohol will be available inside the stadium.

The university doesn't consider sales at the Sept. 1 and Sept. 9 games possible, even if the school is approved for a tavern license in time, Guerrant said.

“We don't really believe that it'd be feasible to get the permit back in time for those games,” she said. “We just don't know if we'd be able to have everything on our ends also ready to go.”

In addition to the permanent license application, the Board is expected to vote to approve allowing the administration to apply for one-off special licenses for each of the four games, in case the full license isn’t granted in time, Guerrant said. Special licenses must be applied for at least 10 days before an event, Vogel said.

Guerrant said there are several logistical challenges that must be resolved, including at which stands alcohol will be sold — volunteer employees and minors won't be allowed to tend alcohol, meaning some concession stands may be shut out on sales.

Guerrant said the university doesn't plan on selling alcohol in every concession stand and there will be guidance and maps pointing patrons toward the nearest locations.

The university will make arrangements for safety staffing by the Sept. 16 game, Guerrant said.

If approved by the MLCC, the university also would be able to sell alcohol later this school year at basketball, baseball, softball and soccer games.

The MLCC website shows Western Michigan University has applied for a license for Waldo Stadium. Vogel did not say whether any other Division 1 universities in Michigan had applied.

Contact Sheldon Krause at skrause@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @sheldonjkrause.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State to seek alcohol sales license for Spartan Stadium