Paul Finebaum, longtime SEC Network host and analyst, says he’s “considering” leaving ESPN to pursue a U.S. Senate seat as a Republican.
In an interview with OutKick’s Clay Travis, Finebaum revealed that the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk made him rethink his life and career. The 70-year-old admitted he felt empty hosting his show in the days following Kirk’s death.
“I spent four hours numb talking about things that didn’t matter to me. And it kept building throughout that weekend,” Finebaum said. “I felt very empty doing what I was doing that day.”
Though he didn’t know Kirk personally, Finebaum said the murder deeply moved him. “It’s hard to describe, not being involved in politics, how that affected me and affected tens of millions of people all over this country. And it was an awakening.”
That awakening led to unexpected conversations. “One or two people in Washington had reached out to me about whether I would be interested in politics, something I never thought about before,” Finebaum explained. “I gave some thought to it as the weekend unfolded and got a little bit more interested.”
A path forward could soon be open. With Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville eyeing a run for governor, his Senate seat may become vacant. At first, Finebaum hesitated, knowing Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl had expressed interest in the seat. But when Pearl signaled he wasn’t planning to run, Finebaum’s outlook shifted.
“I was hesitant at first because I was very aware of Bruce’s interest and [I’m a] huge fan of Bruce… I didn’t take it too seriously,” he said. “I ended up talking to someone… who made it clear that there was a desire for me to be involved. And this person… was compelling and compassionate in the approach to me, and I started thinking about this.”
Finebaum has spent decades in sports media, beginning as a columnist in Birmingham before launching the Paul Finebaum Show. ESPN hired him in 2014 to help anchor the launch of the SEC Network. He and his wife moved back to Alabama earlier this year, after a decade in Charlotte.
“Alabama has always been the place I’ve felt the most welcome, that I’ve cared the most about the people,” he said. “I’ve spoken to people from Alabama for 35 years and I feel there is a connection that is hard to explain.”