Tampa Bay Lightning May Offer Free Beer TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Lightning (news) is hoping to tap into larger crowds by offering unlimited free beer to season ticket holders. But the sudsy sale may not reach its goal if safe-driving advocates have their way. Police and several area chapters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving say the hockey team's offer is irresponsible. "Why attach alcohol to a season-ticket plan? It's almost encouraging people to drink more than they should because it is free," said Sgt. Chris Velar, who runs the Police Department's drunken driving squad. During the first Eastern Conference playoff game between the Lightning and the Philadelphia Flyers (news) Saturday, the St. Pete Times Forum's main scoreboard advertised the offer. Those who paid $100 toward 2004-05 season tickets were eligible for unlimited free beer during the game. About 25 of the 21,000 people at the game signed up for season tickets, said team spokesman Bill Wickett. People who are already intoxicated aren't served beer and free taxi rides are provided to patrons who believe they have had too much to drink, Wickett said. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...ap/20040512/ap_on_sp_ho_ne/hkn_lightning_beer
Rowdy men + heightened levels of testosterone inherent to hockey games + free alcohol. Not the best of mixes. The fights in the stands could outnumber those on the ice.
I think that it it's amazing how someone's lack of personal responsability can always be blamed on someone else. "Sir, you're under arrest for driving under the influance. It's not my fault, the booze came with the tickets. Oh, never mind then, we'll go arrest the Lighting marketing department." I had a open bar at bar at my wedding. The bartender was instructed not to serve anyone obviously intoxicated and had a car to drive the drunks home. If someone were to have left my wedding drunk, drove home and killed someone, are you telling me it was MY fault. I know, the answer is maybe. I hate lawyers.
Oh, now I get it. The beers at Minute Maid are eight bucks because they're trying to cut down on drunk driving.
