How much Clemson grossed in alcohol sales at Savannah Bananas, spring football, baseball, softball
CLEMSON — Clemson is seeing the benefits of allowing alcohol to be sold at sporting events.
According to the school's athletic department, it has generated $470,927 in gross revenue and sold 39,392 units over 15 events since sales began April 5. Those games include eight Clemson baseball games at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, five softball games at McWhorter Stadium and two events at Memorial Stadium: Clemson football's spring game and the Savannah Bananas game.
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The net total for alcohol sales are not available yet because Clemson is still figuring out expenses and revenue split, according to Clemson spokesperson Jeff Kallin. It received its gross revenue numbers from Aramark Sports and Entertainment, the company that sells alcohol at concession stands and kiosks at games.
"The rollout of the alcohol sales from an in-venue standpoint has gone incredibly well," Clemson athletic director Graham Neff said on April 25. "... Fan-experience component, there has been great feedback on that from our folks that the sales have been beyond what we had (expected) so to speak."
Clemson's athletic department announced April 1 that alcoholic beverages would be available for purchase at designated stands and kiosks at sporting events. It was one of three Power Four schools nationally (the others being Utah and BYU), including the only school in the ACC, SEC and Big Ten, that neither offered the sale of alcoholic beverages in its athletic venues nor accepted sponsorship revenue from alcoholic beverage advertisers.
However, Clemson hopes its change in stance will be a boon for its revenue as it is aligned with other Power Four programs as the college athletics landscape is set to shift with the pending House settlement.
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Here's a breakdown of how much Clemson made in gross revenue from each event.
Savannah Bananas, Clemson football spring game a sign of things to come
The Bananas sold out Memorial Stadium, welcoming 81,000 fans. It was the largest sporting event at Clemson since alcohol was permitted, and its revenue was a reflection of it.
MORE: What Clemson baseball's Erik Bakich said about alcohol finally being sold at home games
Clemson sold 27,181 units to make $346,684 in gross revenue. In its agreement with the Bananas, Clemson was responsible for the facility infrastructure (field of play, dugouts, bullpens, backstops), concessions, its merchandising, parking, security and custodial staff. The Bananas handled ticketing (Clemson received money from premium seating), their merchandising and Fan Fest event and on-field entertainment.
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For its football spring game on April 5, which was its first time selling alcohol, it welcomed around 35,000 fans and sold 3,394 units to make $35,174 in gross revenue.
Clemson hopes this momentum can carry over to the football season when coach Dabo Swinney's team takes the field for seven home games in 2025 and potentially a College Football Playoff game.
According to the Knoxville-News Sentinel, Tennessee sold more than 278,000 servings of beer at football games at Neyland Stadium, that generated $3.3 million in the 2022 season.
Clemson baseball, softball could have stronger figures in NCAA regionals
Clemson baseball and softball combined for 8,817 units sold, which made $89,069 in gross revenue. Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich has been a proponent of alcohol sales, even labeling its new standing-room-only area near the opposing team's bullpen a beer garden. He hopes the new amenities will help create a rowdy environment, like it did against Georgia this season.
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"We want the rowdy crowd. We want the beer-drinking crowd," Bakich said in January. "We want people to come out here and have a blast, and the opposing pitchers are going to have to get warm right in front of that section."
Both programs are projected to host an NCAA regional this season, meaning not only could they have greater turnouts but have more alcohol sales.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Alcohol sales: Here's how much Clemson has generated in gross revenue
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Listed as a junior, Sampson will start at left tackle for Texas Tech in 2025. Check back later in the week for Part 2 of FOX Sports' college football transfer portal all-impact team, which will feature the top additions on the defensive side of the ball. Michael Cohen covers college football and college basketball for FOX Sports. Follow him at @Michael_Cohen13. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
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