Alabama distances from store owner

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama has disassociated itself from a local store owner for three years but says he didn’t break any NCAA rules.

Alabama officials had ordered T-Town Menswear owner Stan Albetar in December to stop selling, distributing or promoting items signed by or depicting current athletes. Compliance director Mike Ward said in a statement Tuesday that Albetar appeared to be in compliance with the rules and that an internal investigation didn’t turn up evidence that an athlete received extra benefits.

Ward says the university sent the Tuscaloosa businessman a letter dated March 31 disassociating him from the program after discussing it with the Southeastern Conference office.

The letter stated that Albetar had potentially put the university and athletes at risk by displaying memorabilia.