FCC Proposes $146,976 Fine Against ESPN for Emergency Alert System Violations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a hefty fine of $146,976 against ESPN for violating the Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules. The fine stems from a promotional spot ESPN aired for the start of the 2023-24 NBA season, which transmitted emergency signals. The FCC prohibits the use of such signals unless there is an actual emergency, as their misuse can cause confusion and interfere with legitimate emergency alerts.

According to the FCC, ESPN aired the promo six times between October 20 and 24, 2023, on two of its owned networks. Loyaann A. Egal, chief of the FCC’s enforcement bureau, stated, "These types of violations can raise substantial public safety concerns by causing confusion and, in some cases, interfering with legitimate emergency uses. Today’s proposed fine reflects the FCC’s commitment to keep the lines clear when it comes to the proper use of tools broadcasters are entrusted with to assist the public during an emergency."

This is not ESPN’s first infraction with the EAS rules. The FCC noted that the sports network has a history of noncompliance, having been fined previously in 2015 and 2021 for similar violations. ESPN’s past offenses played a role in the FCC's decision to seek the maximum allowable fine for this latest violation.