Fans Reveal Arena's Beverage-Size Scam, Sue

Ralphie Aversa
Fans Reveal Arena's Beverage-Size Scam, Sue

Fans of a minor-league hockey team believed that the price of beer at the arena was a rip-off. But unlike other sporting enthusiasts who might feel the same way, they actually conducted an investigation and confirmed what they thought. Now, the president of the arena has issued an apology as other fans file a lawsuit.

Heath Forsey and Gwen Gibbs cheer on the Idaho Steelheads, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars. The Steelheads play at Centurylink Arena in Boise. Inside of the venue, small 16-ounce beers cost $4 and large 20-ounce brews cost $7.

But in a video posted by Forsey and Gibbs to YouTube on Sunday, the same amount of beer in a large cup fits in to a small one. The difference in the cups is in their shape, not size. The arena’s concessions are also open during NBDL Idaho Stampede games, concerts, and other events.

On Monday, the lead story in Boise made international headlines. Eric Trapp, President of the Steelheads and Centurylink Arena, took to Facebook to explain the situation and the venue’s remedy.

“It was recently brought to our attention that the amount of beer that fits in our large (20-oz) cups also fits in our regular (16-oz) cups,” Trapp said on The Steelheads’ official Facebook page. “The differentiation in the size of the two cups is too small. To correct that problem, we’re purchasing new cups for the large beers that will hold 24 ounces, instead of 20, for the remainder of this season to provide better value to our fans.”

It is a better value than the previous non-deal, but the numbers still do not work in favor of the larger cups. Large beers will now cost 29 cents per ounce, as opposed to a quarter in the smaller cylinders.

While Forsey and Gibbs are happy with the arena’s decision, others are not appeased. Brady Peck, Michele Bonds and William and Brittany Graham filed a lawsuit against Block 22 LLC two days after the video posted. Block 22 LLC operates Centurylink Arena along with the hockey team and The Grove Hotel in downtown Boise. The plaintiffs are seeking $10,000 in damages.

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