Paul Finebaum Says He Passed on Alabama Senate Run Rather Than Attack ‘Woke Disney’

He told CBS he rejected operatives’ push for a culture‑war campaign out of loyalty to ESPN.

Overview

Finebaum said political advisers described campaigning against Disney, ESPN’s parent, as the “cleanest path” to winning a GOP primary in Alabama.
He added that several prominent Republicans, including two sitting senators, reinforced that advice, which he declined to follow.
After roughly three months of exploration triggered by Charlie Kirk’s assassination, he decided not to enter the race and will remain at ESPN.
Claims he was briefly pulled from ESPN airwaves were promoted by Clay Travis, but Finebaum soon returned to regular appearances.
The seat is expected to open as Sen. Tommy Tuberville pursues the governorship, with a Jan. 23 qualifying deadline and a May 19 primary; declared GOP candidates include Rep. Barry Moore, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Morgan Murphy and Jared Hudson.