Nick Saban has received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) complaints about on-air language used during 2024 college football game broadcasts, with the exception of the state of Alabama.
Nick Saban received 3 complaints about language
Saban discussed schools fined the week before due to flag-planting incidents involving Texas and Georgia before the SEC championship game on Dec. 7th, 2024.
“I think to fine these schools $100,000 is like worrying about mouse manure when you’re up to ears in elephant s**t,” Saban said from Gameday’s set in Atlanta, live on ESPN.
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Matt Stahl, who covers Alabama sports for AL.com, Saban had two complaints sent to the FCC on Dec. 7th, 2024, from a Lee’s Summit, Missouri viewer who said that.
“Nick Saban said the word s–t twice, b—h once, and something else I can’t remember. I tune [in] to gain knowledge and insight on college football, not to have profanity stuffed in my face by a former coach trying to be funny. It will continue until you fine them a million dollars or more. Chinchy fines accomplish nothing.”
The Forest City, North Carolina, complaint was the second one received. It said that Saban used the word “bull*&% ” and that Pat McAfee also used inappropriate language.
In January, another complaint from Chantilly, Virginia, cited McAfee and Saban in a complaint with Desmond Howard for using inappropriate language.
Complaints did not lead to discipline or punishment for Saban
Stations like ESPN are not subject to the same rules for obscenity as local TV stations per the FCC.
Stahl had requested a Freedom of Information Act to understand and investigate the complaints, and the FCC responded by saying that.
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“The FCC receives many complaints and comments that do not involve violations of the Communications Act or any FCC rule or order,” Kristi Thornton, deputy division chief of the consumer policy division of the Consumer & Government Affairs Bureau, wrote. “Thus, a complaint or comment does not necessarily indicate any wrongdoing by any individuals or entities named in the complaint or comment.”
ESPN did not comment on Saban’s language or the complaints lodged.
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