Copyright Athlon Sports
Paul Finebaum has firmly established himself as one of the most recognizable and respected voices in college football. The 70-year-old has been with ESPN since 2013 and has risen to the pinnacle of sportscasting over the past decade, thanks in large part to his prominent role on the SEC Network, which is owned by ESPN. Finebaum is currently under contract with the network through 2027. As it turns out, however, the renowned analyst may not see out his deal as he seeks to pursue his ambitions beyond sportscasting. A new report has now emerged about Finebaum supposedly on the brink of making a career-changing decision in the immediate future. Finebaum has built his career covering SEC football. He was a well-known regional voice before rising to national prominence through various media channels. However, it was with ESPN and the SEC Network where Finebaum established himself as a household name among college football fans. The University of Tennessee alumnus, however, is now eyeing a career change. In September, Finebaum revealed that “one or two people in Washington had reached out to me about whether I would be interested in politics.” He said that this was something that he had never considered in the past, but has now piqued his interest. A new update from Front Office Sports emerged on Wednesday about how Finebaum is now on the verge of pursuing a senatorial seat as a Republican in Alabama. “Paul Finebaum remains ‘very close’ to leaving ESPN to jump into national politics, sources tell Front Office Sports. “ESPN’s star SEC radio and TV host is waiting to make a decision on his political future until after the college football season wraps up, sources say. His current contract with ESPN runs through mid-2027,” the report read. It is worth noting that Finebaum reportedly had a dust-up with the network after he announced his consideration of entering politics. He was briefly pulled from several shows in October. ESPN, however, denied reports that it had barred Finebaum from shows. The college football season will not end until January. Based on the report, Finebaum intends to see out the current season before making his decision. At this point, it has become increasingly possible that this current campaign will be Finebaum’s final one with ESPN. For now, fans can continue to catch the veteran broadcaster in his daily weekday program, “The Paul Finebaum Show.” He is also part of the network’s pregame show, “SEC Nation,” which broadcasts on Saturday mornings.
