Paul Finebaum recently opened up about a U.S. Senate bid in Alabama, which has led to speculation about his media future. He’s said he would step away from his ESPN roles if he formally enters the race.
That public interest in politics has triggered a swirl of rumors about whether ESPN is distancing itself from him. Several outlets and media figures claim ESPN has pulled him from flagship shows like First Take and SportsCenter.
These reports suggest his absence is tied to his stated political ambitions. Some believe the network is trying to sidestep controversy or maintain a firewall between its talent and politics. Others argue it’s a tactical move to test replacements in case he leaves.
But ESPN has pushed back hard against those rumors. Outkick founder Clay Travis, citing his sources, stated that Disney/ESPN has removed Finebaum from the network. He claimed that ESPN has cancelled all his appearances.
Quoting Travis’ post on X, ESPN VP Bill Hofheimer refuted all the claims.
“This is not true at all. The below is TOTALLY FALSE,” he WROTE.
This is not true at all. The below is TOTALLY FALSE. https://t.co/nmnBA9mj13
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) October 6, 2025
If Finebaum moves further into electoral politics, the network might feel pressure to limit high-visibility roles to avoid perceptions of partisanship. As of now, the truth likely lies somewhere in between. Finebaum’s absence from certain shows during a key weekend raises eyebrows.
But without confirmation of a network ban or contract change, the claims remain speculative. What is clear is that his dual path, as analyst and possible candidate, has strained the usual norms, and both ESPN and Finebaum will have to navigate this carefully if the Senate race becomes real.
Paul Finebaum Opened Up About His Political Aspirations
Finebaum is one of the most recognizable voices in college football. His popularity and public image make him a suitable candidate for such a race. However, he wasn’t always dreaming about stepping into the world of politics.
During a conversation with OutKick founder Clay Travis, Finebaum said that he was approached by a few influential political figures with the idea. That made him take this move more seriously than he ever had.
“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 SAID. “Something I didn’t really think possible. I gave some thought to it as the [after Kirk’s murder] weekend unfolded and got a little bit more interested.”
NEW: Paul Finebaum is considering leaving ESPN to run for a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama👀
(via @ClayTravis, @RealDanZak) https://t.co/JqYlS3SrCz pic.twitter.com/IYVjtCtDCh
— On3 (@On3sports) September 29, 2025
For now, Finebaum is with ESPN. What the future holds for him and when will it be the right time for him to part ways with the network is best known to him.
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