The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) will not sell alcoholic beverages at its football games this fall, a decision driven by the steep price of the required liability coverage.
A $5 million liquor‑liability policy is mandatory for any vendor that wishes to serve drinks inside the stadium, and the figure proved too burdensome for the university’s partner, Nightlife Concepts LLC, to absorb.
Athletic Director Marc Bauer explained that the premium far exceeds the revenue the vendor could realistically generate, making the arrangement financially untenable.
Nightlife Concepts LLC, which operates the bar and restaurant Cunningham Journal, had explored the possibility of offering beer and wine at UNK games last season, but a last‑minute discovery that the coverage requirement was $5 million forced the plan to be shelved.
Fans appear largely indifferent; many continue to bring their own drinks to tailgate parties outside the venue, and the existing game‑day atmosphere remains lively.
Spokesperson Todd Gottula said the university has heard a range of viewpoints, but the consensus leans toward preserving the current dry environment.
Bauer noted that roughly eight of the ten schools in UNK’s conference already sell alcohol, and two — Central Oklahoma and Central Missouri — have turned the practice into a profit center.
The Economics Behind a Dry Stadium
The $5 million insurance benchmark is not unique to UNK; it reflects a broader trend of rising liability costs for collegiate events.
Insurance providers have raised premiums across the country as they reassess risk, and universities without deep pockets often find the expense prohibitive.
Looking Forward
For now, UNK will rely on its tradition of fan‑hosted tailgating and the existing partnership with Cunningham Journal to maintain a vibrant campus experience, though the administration may revisit the issue in future seasons.