Alabama coach Nick Saban won't stop video show despite LeBron James' issue

USA TODAY Sports

Show Caption Hide Caption Where does the panic meter sit for the Warriors and Cavs? The Crossover’s Madelyn Burke, DeAntae Prince and Rohan Nadkarni debate which team's panic meter is higher entering the playoffs: the Warriors or Cavaliers?

Alabama coach Nick Saban isn't backing down that easily.

LeBron James isn't, either.

James and his multimedia outlet Uninterrupted believe the Crimson Tide's new video series Shop Talk resembles too closely James' show The Shop. Both take place in a barbershop and feature casual discussions.

Uninterrupted’s head of business and legal affairs Josh Tarnow sent a letter to the University of Alabama expressing those concerns, writing in part, “Shop Talk is clearly using the ideas, concepts and format previously created and exploited by Uninterrupted in connection with its program titled ‘The Shop,’ and Uninterrupted believes Shop Talk infringes the copyright in The Shop."

Saban said Tuesday that the Crimson Tide's series, which features former receiver Julio Jones, Saban and others, will continue.

“I think LeBron James is a great player,” Saban said. “There’s been at least 20 barbershop-type things I’ve seen. I didn’t even know he had one. I’m sorry anybody could be offended by something we were just trying to have fun with. I enjoyed it and we’re going to continue to do it.”

Following the Cavaliers' Tuesday win over Toronto in Cleveland, James was told about Saban’s stance.

“That’s exactly what I would think he would say,” James said. “I built Uninterrupted for a reason and for us athletes to have a platform to be able to speak about whatever we want to talk about. I respect him as a coach, but I’ll be damned if I’ll allow someone to use our platform or try to do the same thing we’re doing and just think it’s OK.

“The lawyers will figure it out.”

Contributing: Sam Amick, Jeff Zillgitt, The Associated Press

NBA PHOTO OF THE DAY