not having a 1/4 mile walk straight up to get from the pits to the fields would be nice

I understand that there are financial reasons behind the rule, but I really didn't like the "no food in the arena" rule. The idea was probably to get people to buy from the expensive food stands, but it didn't seem to work that well. Lots of people snuck food in or ate elsewhere, and it was a big inconvenience for everyone. If they're not relying on the income from that concession stand, I think they should take away the rule.

I believe it's part of the standard arena contract in most places. I do know at Epcot, we could bring food in... but... Epcot was not a major sports arena, with concessionaires' contracts to worry about, so it's not a good comparison. Chances are, the Georgia Dome won't allow outside food, either.

No, that's not really it at all.

Each venue hosts lots of events, right? They host basketball games and conventions and all sorts of other things. Well, the venues sign contracts with food vendors to provide food for all of those events. The contracts often prohibit the venue from using another vendor for food -- exclusivity.

FIRST, when they use a venue, has to abide by all the existing contracts a venue has -- whether they be for lighting or food or whatever else.

FIRST doesn't see the money from food sales (as far as I know) and thus has no real interest in seeing you pay $6 for a hamburger. They just have no say in the matter.

While BMG would be awsome, lets face it, when you bring in a band, it causes the usual "Why wosn't it band xxx?" I'd rather see the fireworks show and money spent towards FREE WATER so people (me) don't have to die of thirst at these competitions instead of buy a $4 bottle of Coke....