Defending Mitch Barnhart decision to ban alcohol in 2019-20

Compensation for Wealthier Fans

The discourse has mainly revolved around the fact that alcohol sales are allowed in premium seats and not in the regular seats (essentially, any non-club seat). Here are tweets from some Kentucky media that best describe the reaction Mitch Barnhart received on Thursday:

I understand the outrage but I completely disagree with it. Kentucky upheld its ban on alcohol sale everywhere except for the premium/club seats. On the surface, yes, it appears Kentucky and Mitch Barnhart gave average fans the middle finger and hypocritically continued to allow alcohol in the aforementioned sections, which, no surprise, cost A LOT more than regular seats.

A few things.

By raw concept, this isn’t hypocrisy, it’s capitalism. Fans who pay more for tickets, donate more to the vital K Fund, and over the years, have simply made tremendous monetary contributions to the University and its Athletic Department, are going to receive preferential treatment. That’s how the American economy works and it’s how College Athletics work.

The big-time donors and wealthier fans who sit in the premium sections and are afforded extra benefits are the main reason the football and basketball programs are as successful as they are. The new football facility, paid for by donors, is an instrumental part of the program. It wows recruits, helps build team camaraderie, and is the place where our players transform their bodies from high school all-stars to All-SEC. It is a vital building. That’s only one example of what the top percentage of our fans and donors provide. They give far more than anyone else to the University and should, in turn, get back just a little bit more than everyone else.

I understand the concerns I discussed earlier still apply here, but these sections are monitored very closely and easily controlled. UK can prevent over-serving and remove fans from the game who are too rambunctious since they are isolated. Plus, it’s a very small portion of people at the games and there have never been issues in the past. Frankly, the risk is much lower with just the contained group.

This complex has been diluted into two types of people by the above media and a portion of fans: “rich and poor.” That’s ridiculous. There are very wealthy people who still can’t afford premium seats or are not willing to pay for them. Considering them “poor” is inaccurate and degrading in many cases. And you don’t have to be incredibly rich to sit in premium seats. It can be a one-time experience. Sometimes, the seats in those sections are given away either by UK or by the entity that buys them in the first place.

Yes, it sucks for those who can’t afford premium tickets, I understand. But that’s life. Sometimes the most successful and monetarily powerful individuals are going to receive extra benefits.

If you or anyone else has a major issue with that principle, I don’t know what I can do for you. Stop coming to the games? But does Mark Stoops, Terry Wilson, Lynn Bowden, or any of our players or coaches deserve desertion because of a capitalistic alcohol policy? If after an incredible 10-win season and Citrus Bowl victory over Penn State, you terminate your season tickets because of ALCOHOL, that’s on you. I have no sympathy.

No, I’ve never sat in the premium section and I am simply the “average,” apparently, “poor” fan. I love going to football games. Last season gave me some of the greatest experiences of my life as a sports fan. We’ve been fine without drinking in the past and if you can’t stand to not have alcohol for three hours and would rather miss Benny’s four-touchdown domination against Mississippi State and the raucous singing of Grove Street Party, I feel bad for you. And you can bet a sober Mitch Barnhart will still be belting out “it’s a party, it’s a party, it’s a party!”