Good news may be coming for those who like a tipple with their touchdowns

Liquor sales could expand to all of Raymond James Stadium Beer and wine is sold in throughout the stadium, but liquor is limited to the club level and executive seats.BY CHRISTOPHER O’DONNELLTribune staff Published:  September 23, 2015 at 08:52 PMTAMPA — Good news may be coming for those who like a tipple with their touchdowns.The Tampa Sports Authority is asking the Tampa City Council to expand the sale of liquor throughout Raymond James Stadium for Bucs games and concerts. Beer and wine are already sold in all areas of the venue but only fans in the expensive club level seats and executive boxes can buy liquor.That puts the stadium at a disadvantage compared with other Tampa Bay professional sports teams, according to the sports authority, which runs the stadium on behalf of Hillsborough County. Liquor sales are already permitted on all three levels of Amalie Arena during Tampa Bay Lightning games and in all areas of Tropicana Field, home to the Tampa Bay Rays.“We felt our fans who come in here to support teams should have the same opportunity as fans at the Amalie Arena and the Trop,” said Bobby Silvest, the authority’s vice president of communications and marketing. “We just want an equal playing field for our venue.”If approved by the city council, Raymond James concessions vendor Aramark Sports and Entertainment would be able to sell liquor in all areas of the stadium and at the outer perimeter of the venue, including two plaza areas. Alcohol will not be sold in stadium parking lots.Restrictions in place for beer and wine sales would also apply to liquor sales, Silvest said. Customers would be limited to two alcoholic drinks per purchase. There would be no sale of alcohol once the fourth quarter starts or during the last 30 minutes of a concert or other event.Similar restrictions are in effect at Amalie Arena and the Trop.“The key to the whole thing is being responsible to who and how you’re selling,” said Bill Wickett, Tampa Bay Lightning spokesman.A public hearing on the sports authority’s liquor license application is scheduled for 6 p.m. today in city hall. If approved, there would be a second hearing in two weeks. Liquor sales could begin shortly after that, once the city issues a new license, Silvest said.An attempt to extend liquor sales in 2007 was denied by council members after Tampa Police Department officials warned it would lead to more rowdiness and unruly behavior.This time, police officials say they have no such concerns. A report in the planning application notes that there were 151 calls for police service at the stadium since 2012.“Based on our analysis of incidents at the stadium, we don’t believe adding liquor sales will impact our calls for service,” said Andrea Davis, police spokeswoman. “Especially since liquor is already served in nearly half the stadium, in the club seats and luxury boxes.”Bar workers at the stadium are instructed to refuse service to customers who are clearly intoxicated. Aramark has trained about 6,000 game-day workers through the Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management program.“They do a ton of training for their employees with regard to serving alcoholic beverages,” Silvest said. “We have safe-ride program. We really are covering all bases.”Beer is a staple of the game-day experience but not all venues permit liquor sales. A 2010 study by Public Health Reports found that beer is permitted at all pro sports venues in the U.S. while liquor was sold at 89 percent of them.The Philadelphia Flyers, who also use Aramark as their concessions vendor, added wine and spirits to their alcohol offerings this year.But additional restrictions on sales can often result from incidents of public disorder.Santa Clara City Council members are considering banning second-half alcohol sales at Levi’s Stadium after a Minnesota Vikings fan was attacked at a recent San Francisco 49ers game.Tampa City Councilman Guido Maniscalco, whose District 6 seat includes Raymond James Stadium, said he has not heard complaints from neighbors or local businesses about the proposal.He said he will be asking questions of city planners to ensure there are restrictions on how many drinks fans can buy.“They want to be competitive. When they have an event, they want to have full service,” he said. “I’m sure it will be controlled.”[email protected](813) 259-7871Twitter: codonnellTBO