ESPN has got some explaining to do.

Following a controversial segment on the network’s Saturday morning College GameDay show from Baton Rouge featuring James Carville, the network has issued an apology to the SEC during the halftime of the Auburn-Texas A&M game. That game aired on ESPN and immediately aired following GameDay.

If you missed the segment, it can be viewed below:

https://twitter.com/barstooltweetss/status/1058744652147384323?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1058744652147384323&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsaturdaydownsouth.go-vip.net%2Flsu-football%2Fwatch-political-pundit-james-carville-makes-appearance-on-college-gameday-claims-sec-bias-towards-alabama%2F

ESPN college football host Chris Cotter read the following statement to issue an apology to the SEC and Greg Sankey at halftime of the Auburn-Texas A&M contest:

“We have an apology to make on behalf of ESPN. While appearing as a guest on College GameDay earlier today, James Carville offered his thoughts on SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey. As we like to demonstrate here at ESPN, diversity of opinions are encouraged, however, these actions were over the top and we would like to apologize to Commissioner Sankey for them.”

Did ESPN need to take this step?