SEC Network Icon Paul Finebaum Weighs Leaving ESPN for Politics

Longtime ESPN and SEC Network college football host Paul Finebaum says he’s seriously considering stepping away from sports media to run for political office. 

In an exclusive interview with OutKick’s Clay Travis, Finebaum revealed that the assassination of Charlie Kirk pushed him to rethink his future. 

“I spent four hours numb talking about things that didn’t matter to me,” Finebaum admitted. “It was an awakening.”

The 70-year-old said he never envisioned himself in politics, but conversations with people in Washington after Kirk’s death sparked new interest. A potential path may be opening, with Senator Tommy Tuberville eyeing Alabama’s governorship and leaving his Senate seat up for grabs. 

“I ended up talking to someone… who made it clear there was a desire for me to be involved,” he explained.

Paul Finebaum’s Career in Sports Media

Paul Finebaum’s sports media career began as a newspaper columnist and reporter in Birmingham, Alabama, in the 1980s. He was a reporter and columnist for the Birmingham Post Herald and other newspapers. 

In 2001, he launched The Paul Finebaum Radio Network, and his popular radio show, The Paul Finebaum Show, gained a significant following across the Southeast. 

In 2013, he joined ESPN to become a key personality for the launch of the SEC Network. He is now a fixture of college football on ESPN and SEC Network, hosting his daily show and appearing on various other ESPN programs.  

He is a very entertaining personality that is not afraid to make bold takes and even confront coaches on his show from time to time. 

Finebaum’s Potential Switch to Politics 

Despite his success in sports media, Finebaum says his ties to Alabama run deeper than sports:

“Alabama has always been the place I’ve felt the most welcome,” Finebaum said. “I’ve spoken to people from Alabama for 35 years and I feel there is a connection that is hard to explain.”

For years, Finebaum kept his politics private at ESPN. But recently, he confirmed he is a registered Republican and voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. He also admitted that if Trump personally encouraged him to run, it would seal his decision.

“Impossible to tell him no,” Finebaum said. “There’s no way I could.”

Finebaum hasn’t committed to anything officially yet, but he’s aware of the January filing deadline and expects to make a final decision within the next month. 

If he decides to make that leap from sports to politics, Alabama could see one of the most fascinating political storylines in years: the voice of SEC football making the leap from ESPN’s studio to the U.S. Senate floor. 

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