re: Alabama athletic department was over 207 million dollars in debt last year

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Yet, LSU and Florida continue to be the only two entirely privately funded football programs and never take a dime from the state.

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Why does the University of Alabama, a state university, need private support?
As the Athletic Department at the University of Alabama is 100% self-supporting, all private gifts contribute directly to the needs of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. UA Athletics receives no funding from the State of Alabama. In fact, the University of Alabama Athletic Department has never received funds from the State's taxpayers. All gifts to the Crimson Tide Foundation are applied solely to the Athletic Department's needs. The Crimson Tide Foundation provides a venue through which loyal alumni, fans and friends can give financial support to the Athletic Department, while capturing all the current tax benefits allowed by the IRS. Private support enables UA Athletics to increase its standing, in both athletics and academics, over competing universities beyond what can be accomplished with annual revenue from ticket sales, media rights and other licensing agreements.

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