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Fans Fight Back!
Alcohol-fueled violence at professional sporting events is ruining America's favorite pastimes. Beer brawls erupt in basketball stands and intoxicated fans riot at games. Last year, rioting erupted in Boston during the “celebration” following the Red Sox’s World Series win. A 21-year-old college student was killed when she was struck in the eye by a pepper-spray bullet fired by police to quell the violence.1
After drunken fans attacked Jeff Black and his eight-year-old son during a Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field, he decided to do something about the conditions that led to the alcohol-fueled assault. Black is suing the Rockies and beer vendor Aramark to change their unsafe serving and security practices that contributed to the alcohol-fueled attack. Aramark is the same vendor that lost a $110 million judgment for repeatedly serving an intoxicated NY Giants football fan who then crashed his car into a family, paralyzing a young girl. Despite this judgement, Inside Edition caught Aramark employees serving fans more drinks than allowed by stadium policy at ballparks this summer.
When Black reached out to the Marin Institute for support, he inspired a campaign to “Eject Aramark From the Game” for failing to ensure alcohol-safe sports stadiums. We heard from many people like Jeff who shared similar stories. “I am a life-long baseball fan who simply stopped going to games because of the drunkenness of the fans,“said Jenna Rosen of Montclair, New Jersey. Jeff, Jenna and others helped generate several hundred letters to the commissioners of professional baseball, football, basketball and hockey asking them to fire Aramark.
The Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bud Selig, responded saying that, “…all of the concessionaires have been very responsible and sensitive to the concerns you have raised.” Likewise, Commissioner Dennis Robinson of the National Basketball Association responded with, “...the NBA and our teams have taken a number of steps to help address the responsible consumption of alcohol at NBA games so as to ensure our games remain family friendly.” Apparently they didn't see Inside Edition's footage of Aramark vendors serving four beers at a time despite the limit of two.
Black is now mobilizing a grassroots effort to take back professional sporting events as safe, fun and family-oriented activities. To get involved, contact him at rockiesbeerandchildren@comcast.net.
Share your story, and join the many other fans who've come forward to help “Eject Aramark From the Game” and stop alcohol-fueled sports violence.
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