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4h ago

ESPN Denies Reports It Pulled Paul Finebaum After Senate Talk as Tuesday First Take Booking Stands

Recent schedules show absences from flagship shows alongside continued SEC Network duties, with ESPN preparing backups in case he runs.

Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.
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Overview

  • OutKick and others reported Finebaum was taken off ESPN’s main-channel shows after he discussed a possible Republican Senate bid in Alabama, a claim ESPN’s communications chief called “TOTALLY FALSE.”
  • Appearance checks show he missed some usual slots, including Thursday’s Get Up and Sunday morning SportsCenter, even as he kept hosting The Paul Finebaum Show and worked SEC Nation on Saturday.
  • Multiple outlets cited ESPN sources saying Finebaum is booked for First Take on Tuesday and for a SportsCenter hit this weekend, with those appearances described as scheduled before the controversy.
  • ESPN sources told reporters the network is giving other college football analysts more airtime in case Finebaum pursues a campaign, framing recent changes as contingency planning rather than a ban.
  • Finebaum has said he is weighing a run for the Alabama seat expected to open as Sen. Tommy Tuberville seeks the governorship, and he indicated he would leave ESPN if he formally enters the race.