Alcohol sales at Williams-Brice Stadium? USC vendor applies for license to allow them

The company that sells food at Williams-Brice Stadium has applied for a license to sell alcohol at USC’s football stadium.

Aramark Sports and Entertainment LLC applied on June 11 for the “permanent” license to sell beer, wine and liquor, according to Bonnie Swingle, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Revenue, which processes liquor licenses.

However, USC said it only wants to sell alcohol for the much-anticipated Jay-Z/Beyoncé concert on Aug. 21.

“There is no attempt to want to sell alcohol at the games,” USC spokesman Jeff Stensland said. Rather, the stadium would sell alcohol only at “private, nonathletic events” such as the Jay-Z/Beyoncé concert, he said.

The Department of Revenue refers to the type of liquor license requested as “permanent.” Aramark could have applied for just a seven-day permit, which is more expensive. But the company is seeking the same type of license hotels and restaurants need to sell alcohol, according to the application.

Should the license be approved, Swingle said it would be valid for two years. However, USC’s agreement with Aramark to serve alcohol lasts only one year, Stensland said.

It typically takes between six to eight weeks for the Department of Revenue to decide whether to issue a liquor license, Swingle said. However, if a member of the public protests the permit, the process goes to an administrative law court, in which it could take six months to get a hearing, she said. The deadline to protest the liquor license is July 31 at 5 p.m., according to a sign posted on the stadium.

The Southeastern Conference bans stadiums from selling alcohol to general admission fans at games, although those who can afford premium seating are exempt at Williams-Brice. However, the prospect of allowing alcohol sales at SEC games has come up several times in the past few years.

Should the permit be approved, it would allow alcohol to be sold at Williams-Brice during non-SEC related events.

Correction: An earlier version of this story cited a USC official saying the university will be submitting a second application for a liquor license. USC has clarified to say it will not be submitting one in addition to Aramark’s application.

This story was originally published July 17, 2018 at 12:00 PM.