Byrne Cites City Service Fee As UA Pauses Plans To Sell Alcohol In Coleman Coliseum

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Roughly two weeks after the City of Tuscaloosa approved the selling of beer and wine in Coleman Coliseum on the University of Alabama campus, UA Athletic Director Greg Byrne took to Twitter to say the process has been put on pause due to a component of the approved measure that would see the price of tickets increase.

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"It is very unfortunate that the City of Tuscaloosa's plan would unreasonably target Alabama Athletics and our fans with a service fee on all tickets where alcohol is sold, even tickets sold to children," Byrne said in a statement posted to the social media platform on Monday.

Byrne goes on to highlight the economic impact of UA Athletics, which already pays 10% sales tax on all ticket sales, with 3% going directly to the City of Tuscaloosa

"That, alone, is estimated to be $1.3 million for the fiscal year," he said. "Our concessionaire also pays the City 10% sales tax on concession revenue from all athletic events, generating approximately $125,000 annually. In addition to the taxes paid directly from Alabama Athletics, fans and visiting teams also pay City lodging taxes for overnight stays and City sales tax at restaurants, bars and stores."

When considering the service fee, Byrne also pointed out that the University of Alabama Police Department, in addition to other security contractors hired by UA, make up the staffing for functions at Coleman Coliseum where alcohol would be sold.

"For these reasons and more, we don't think this is a reasonable approach that the City is attempting to take, and pending further review of this service fee, Alabama Athletics will not be moving forward with alcohol sales at this time," he said.

Patch previously reported when the Tuscaloosa City Council on Feb. 1 approved to grant an alcohol retail license for Coleman Coliseum, which opened the door for the selling of beer, wine and seltzers in the venue.

The alcohol license was awarded to Levy Premium Food Service — who also manages alcohol sales for venues at Arkansas and Texas A&M — handles food service for concessions in Coleman Coliseum, in addition to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Tuscaloosa Patch has reached out to the City of Tuscaloosa for comment and will update this story as more comes in.

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