Table:
|  | Dividends Paid(1) | Share Repurchases(2) | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fiscal year 2016 | $62,436 | $148,185 | $210,621 |
| Fiscal year 2017 | $59,959 | $306,397 | $366,356 |
| Fiscal year 2018 | $57,833 | $450,000 | $507,833 |
| Fiscal year 2019 | $52,004 | $350,000 | $402,004 |
| Total | $232,232 | $1,254,582 | $1,486,814 |
Paragraphs:
Dividends and Share Repurchases
Following is a summary of the dividends and share repurchases for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands):
(1) The difference between dividends declared and dividends paid is due to dividend equivalents for unvested restricted stock units that are paid at the time the awards vest.
(2) Excludes commissions.
We currently expect to continue to declare and pay regular quarterly dividends of an amount similar to our past declarations. However, the declaration and payment of future dividends are discretionary and will be subject to determination by our Board each quarter following its review of our financial performance.
In June 2018, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $350.0 million of our common stock. As of August 31, 2019, the total amount authorized by the Board of Directors had been repurchased.
In September 2019, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $600.0 million of our common stock as part of a two-year capital allocation framework. From September 24, 2019 through October 14, 2019, we repurchased 874,475 shares, utilizing a total of $30.8 million of the $600.0 million authorized by the Board.
Question:
What were the dividends paid in 2016?
Answer: $62,436