This past Saturday was the home opener for OU football, and COVID-19 restrictions meant the day was much less profitable for some local businesses. About 63,000 fewer fans than normal were able to attend the game after OU limited its stadium capacity to 25 percent. 

Jerry Hatter, who co-owns Balfour of Norman says the reduced number of fans coming to town put a big dent in his merchandise sales. “It was about what I expected and projected for… But it was roughly a third of what a normal game day is for the first game of the year,” Hatter said.

The Norman City Council also limited bars and restaurants to 75 percent capacity on Saturday.