The city of Birmingham is investing in the city by purchasing football tickets. Every year they buy 5,000 UAB football tickets and 1,000 Miles Collage football tickets. Birmingham City Council member Johnathan Austin says it’s to keep the teams coming to Legion Field.

“Legion Field the Old Grey Lady needs people in it in order to continue to be a viable part of the community,” says Austin.

Austin says that it brings business to that part of the community; fans buy souvenirs, food and even rent hotel rooms.

“It’s important to maintain the community the impact that it has to the residents who live around Legion Field as well as the people who live in the city of Birmingham,” says Austin.

The mayor gets around 850 season tickets, the council gets around 350 season tickets and the rest get divided among city departments.

“I’ll be giving a good portion of my tickets to the youth foster groups like Grace House Ministries, and other school PTAs. Things like that will let the kids get a chance to get out and enjoy the football games,” says Kim Rafferty, a Birmingham City Council Member.

The city also purchases $15,000 worth of Miles College tickets, because that college uses Legion Field as well.