Winning Wolf Pack scores with sports bars

The winning ways of University of Nevada, Reno football team are scoring with area sports bars, where standing-room only has become commonplace for televised games.

Bigger sports bars such as Bully's and Sparky's report large increases in patronage due to the success of the football team the Wolf Pack was 5-0 and nationally ranked headed into a matchup with lowly San Jose State on Saturday. But smaller sports bars that cultivate a loyal following say such increases have been moderate at best.

Jody Clark, district manager of Bully's, says attendance for televised games on MountainWest Sports Network, a DirectTV channel, has been "spectacular."

"It is more than we could have hoped for," Clark says. "Before kickoff we had standing room only at all of our locations."

Chris Skog, general manager of the Sparky's location on Fourth Street and West McCarran Boulevard, says the increase at his establishment has been about 200 percent for home games and as high as 500 percent for televised games when the Wolf Pack is on the road.

"It has been huge," Skog says. "One time we actually had so many people in here that we ran out of glasses."

Clark says many of his customers complain that the Charter cable service at their homes doesn't carry the game. Bully's and other sports bars pay for premium sports packages in hopes of luring football- and sports-crazed fans. The bars bank on additional revenues generated during autumn months when Truckee Meadows residents gravitate indoors as outdoors activities wind down.

"Football has always been really good at Bully's; we wait for this time of year," Clark says. "September and October are a good time of year with professional and college football. It is an added bonus that the Wolf Pack has been doing so well."

Toby Tamagni, general manager of the Little Waldorf, a favorite watering hole for UNR students and boosters for generations, says he's had a packed house the past few games when the establishment across the street from Mackay Stadium normally would be about half full.

Patrons also are staying longer, Tamagni says, coming in about a half-hour before kickoff and staying throughout the three-hour games.

"It has been really good this year," Tamagni says. "Typically for us the first few games and up until homecoming are really good. When the weather turns cold we could see a decline in people going to games, but this year they have such an exciting team that I think people will go out and bear the cold."

Other area sports bars haven't seen as big a bump in patronage.

Dave Pennington, owner of Sidelines Bar in Baring Village Shopping Center across from Reed High School says televised Wolf Pack games at his place have helped retain existing clientele rather than having them bolt for the nearest Bully's or Sparky's location.

He expects more customers if UNR extends its winning streak in subsequent weeks.

Linda Cherry, bartender at Goal Post Restaurant and Pub at Stateline, also says patronage at Lake Tahoe hasn't spiked when the Wolf Pack plays although the bar has fielded a number of phone calls inquiring if it was carrying the game on TV.

Sparky's Skog says he's added extra staff to keep pace with the crush of people on game days. Although the working conditions can be hectic for food servers, bartenders and waitresses, they welcome the press of people.

"They know it is going to be rough three or fours hours, but then it is over and they make their money," Skog says.

Attendance for the battle of the Fremont Cannon against intrastate rival UNLV was crazy, Skog adds but the upcoming battle against powerhouse Boise State could make all other games seem tame.

"I can't imagine what happens when it comes to the Boise State game," Skog says. "Everyone is excited when the (Wolf Pack) wins. Every time a touchdown is scored everyone is screaming and yelling, and that is good for us. Happy customers tend to stay longer and spend more time in the tavern."

Bully's Clark says that the football team's best season in decades has come at a good time for Reno-Sparks residents who have been hard pressed over the past two years.

"These are tough times for everybody and people looking for a release," he says. "Sometimes they are getting it through athletics, and they don't have to go far from home. It is great for business and great for the community, and it is just exciting to be a part of it."