Tuscaloosa mayor responds to Alabama athletic director's accusations

There’s a battle brewing in Tuscaloosa, the home of the Alabama Crimson Tide, between the school and city officials. Recently the City Council announced it approved adding fees to the sale of alcoholic beverages for Crimson Tide sporting events. School Athletic Director Greg Bryne took exception to the announcement and posted a statement voicing his disapproval. And on Monday, the mayor of Tuscaloosa, Walt Maddox, responded to the Crimson Tide Athletic Director.

According to Ryan Brown of Next Round Live, he and Maddox had been texting back and forth on the topic, and this was the mayor’s reply.

“I respect Greg’s opinion and his record of accomplishment. I respect even more the cities responsibility to provide the safest environment possible. This issue is not new and deserves continued, personal and thoughtful discussion with all parties involved. Our police officers, firefighters, and paramedics deserve our best to ensure the safest environment possible for citizens and guests of the city of Tuscaloosa,” said Maddox.

Greg Bryne on halting alcohol sales

Less than two full weeks since the Tuscaloosa City Council approved the sale of alcohol at Alabama basketball games inside Coleman Coliseum, beer, wine and hard seltzers won’t be served inside the venue after all. Not only will Coleman Coliseum not sell alcohol, but neither will any Alabama athletics venue – even Bryant-Denny Stadium, where the Crimson Tide football team plays.

Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne publicly announced Monday that if the school sold alcoholic beverages at sporting events there would be a service fee added to all tickets where alcohol is served as a result of a new plan put forth by the City of Tuscaloosa.

“It is very unfortunate that the City of Tuscaloosa’s plan would unreasonably target Alabama Athletics and our fans with a service fee on all tickets where alcohol is sold, even tickets sold to children,” Byrne wrote in a statement posted to his Twitter account. “For these reasons and more, we don’t think this is a reasonable approach that the City is attempting to take, and pending further review of this service fee, Alabama Athletics will not be moving forward with alcohol sales at this time.”

The aforementioned added service fee comes after the Tuscaloosa City Council on Feb. 8 approved a fee structure increase for ticketed events of at least 1,000 people where alcohol is served, according to Nick Kelly of The Tuscaloosa News.

For a southern school that competes in the SEC, it’s a real shame that Alabama fans won’t be able to enjoy their favorite alcoholic beverages while watching their Crimson Tide teams compete.