CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Wine could be an option for Mountaineer football fans this fall in a bill being considered by state lawmakers.
The state Senate Judiciary Committee approved a measure Wednesday afternoon that would allow wine sales at NCAA Division I athletic stadiums in West Virginia.
The bill’s chief sponsor, Monongalia County Senator Bob Beach, said he introduced the bill at the request of WVU Athletic Director Oliver Luck.
“It was a short request. I didn’t think it to be a big issue,” Beach said. “We already have beer sales in place, adding wine to that list wasn’t that difficult for me.”
Beach said the sales would operate much the same way as beer sales do at Mountaineer Field.
“This would allow wine sales in addition to that. Same guidelines,” Beach said. “Students would have to have ID along with adults as well.”
The bill spells out that a license to sell wine would cost $250 and those sales must be away from the general crowd. The bill reads:
“The exterior of the area where wine sales may occur are surrounded by a fence or other barrier prohibiting entry….so that unless the wine sales area is closed to free and unrestricted entry by the general public.”
WVU began selling beer at Mountaineer Field a few seasons ago and Beach said it’s gone well.
“It’s a revenue mechanism for the university and I think it adds a little more to that pool when you add wine sales to it,” Beach said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee passed the bill in less than three minutes Wednesday. There was very little discussion. The bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.