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The Center Square [By Jon Styf] –
Selling alcohol at bars starting at 8 a.m. on Sundays, the same as other days of the week, is under consideration in the Tennessee Legislature and being pushed by the NFL Titans.
The bill would require a city that has approved liquor-by-the-drink sales by referendum to pass an ordinance to allow alcohol sales earlier than the current 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, said House Bill 1672 was proposed by the Tennessee Titans related to Nashville and international National Football League games.
“We have a lot of international games that start very early and people want to go watch their teams play and enjoy a bloody Mary or mimosa,” Freeman said.
House Bill 1672 passed the Departments and Agencies Subcommittee this week and is scheduled to be heard in the State Government Committee on Wednesday.
“So you’re saying it’s 5 o’clock somewhere?” Freeman was asked in the subcommittee.
“Yes sir, I am, in London,” Freeman responded.
The Titans played in London in 2018 and 2023.
European games in the NFL, and there are four in 2024, have not been announced but the franchises designated as “home team” are set. The Titans are the guests of two of them – the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears. Full schedules will be released in the spring.
The Senate State and Local Government Committee is set to hear companion Senate Bill 1800 on Tuesday.
The bill would require the Metro Nashville’s council to pass an ordinance moving alcohol sales earlier as well.
About the Author: Jon Styf, The Center Square Staff Reporter – Jon Styf is an award-winning editor and reporter who has worked in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan in local newsrooms over the past 20 years, working for Shaw Media, Hearst and several other companies. Follow Jon on Twitter @JonStyf.
5 Responses
Why???? At what point do we STOP bowing to the whims of these big corporations? I can see no earthly reason to be selling liquor before noon on Sundays to begin with. It’s not like any of these athletic franchises actually increase revenue for our state when you factor in the government handouts that they get to build here. Studied in urban planning have shown repeatedly that these venues do not generate the income that these organizations claim.
If we do not put a stop to all this nonsense, we will be California sooner than we realize. I personally do not want that. I moved here 30 years ago to escape their rat race.
Two more hours without alcohol on the Lord’s day won’t kill you.
TN is in a downward cultural spiral akin to the infamous Chinese tactic of death by a thousand cuts. A few months ago five Republicans remained silent when asked to keep minors from Nashville drag shows, now this! Parts of TN are already California. One need look no further than Nashville on weekends and on the eve of Lent when our capital rivals New Orleans for debauchery in “celebration” of Eater, Christ’s rise from thew dead.
The name should be changed from Nashville to Trashville. Modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. And that includes most politicians from both parties.
In God we trust not government or man.
Have a blessed day.
Anyone that needs alcohol b4 late afternoon don’t need help finding booze.
It’s called enabling.
BTW how much does a beer at the publicly funded sink hole cost?
What is the team’s cut on each beverage?