Birmingham city leaders are making a long-term commitment to help reinstate the UAB football program.The Birmingham City Council is expected to approve $2.5 million for UAB football at its meeting Tuesday. Under the plan, the Blazers would receive $500,000 a year for the next five years.The financial contribution is double what the city has given the UAB football program in years past. Before the program was shut down at the end of the 2014 season, Birmingham would give $250,000 annually for season tickets and box seats at Legion Field.Birmingham Mayor William Bell said UAB is the flagship institution for the city and athletics is a big contributor to its success.“Athletics is part of the identity for the students, and identity for the university and city as a whole,” said Bell. “We felt it necessary to make our contribution and to stand behind that contribution over the next five years."Bell said the city is looking at other ways help contribute to the reinstatement of UAB football.The Blazers are expected to take the field again in the fall of 2017.

Birmingham city leaders are making a long-term commitment to help reinstate the UAB football program.

The Birmingham City Council is expected to approve $2.5 million for UAB football at its meeting Tuesday. Under the plan, the Blazers would receive $500,000 a year for the next five years.


The financial contribution is double what the city has given the UAB football program in years past. Before the program was shut down at the end of the 2014 season, Birmingham would give $250,000 annually for season tickets and box seats at Legion Field.

Birmingham Mayor William Bell said UAB is the flagship institution for the city and athletics is a big contributor to its success.

“Athletics is part of the identity for the students, and identity for the university and city as a whole,” said Bell. “We felt it necessary to make our contribution and to stand behind that contribution over the next five years."

Bell said the city is looking at other ways help contribute to the reinstatement of UAB football.

The Blazers are expected to take the field again in the fall of 2017.