For more than three decades, Paul Finebaum’s voice has been woven into the fabric of Alabama life. Whether dissecting the latest SEC football drama or offering a platform for impassioned callers, Finebaum’s radio and television presence has made him a household name across the state. Now, the 70-year-old ESPN and SEC Network host is considering a dramatic career pivot: leaving sports media to run for the U.S. Senate seat in Alabama, a move that could reshape both the state’s political landscape and the world of college football commentary.
Finebaum’s potential candidacy first gained traction over the weekend prior to September 29, 2025, during a conversation with Clay Travis of OutKick. He described the prospect of a Senate run as “intriguing” and admitted, “I am thinking about it constantly.” According to OutKick, Finebaum revealed that an Alabama political operative had approached him, expressing a desire for him to get involved in politics—a conversation he found both compelling and compassionate. “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 told OutKick.
Should Finebaum decide to pursue the Senate seat, he would be vying to replace Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn football coach who has served as Alabama’s U.S. senator since 2021. Tuberville, who announced he will not seek re-election, is instead running for governor in 2026, as reported by The Athletic and other outlets. Finebaum’s name recognition and deep ties to the state—he has spoken to Alabamians for 35 years, by his own count—would instantly make him a formidable contender. “I’ve been speaking to Alabamians for 35 years. I feel like I know who they are. I think they know who I am,” Finebaum said, reflecting on his long-running connection to his audience.
Finebaum’s journey to this political crossroads has been shaped by both personal and national events. The recent assassination of Turning Point Founder Charlie Kirk in Utah, earlier in September 2025, had a profound impact on him. Speaking to OutKick, he admitted, “I spent four hours numb talking about things that didn’t matter to me. And it kept building throughout that weekend. I felt very empty doing what I was doing that day.” The tragedy, Finebaum said, was an “awakening” that prompted him to reassess his priorities and consider a new path in public service. “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,” he explained.
Finebaum’s interest in politics was further stoked by outreach from “one or two people in Washington” who inquired about his willingness to enter the political arena. “Something I never thought about before,” he told OutKick. Initially, he was hesitant, in part because former Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl had expressed interest in the Senate seat. However, Pearl’s subsequent announcement that he would not run cleared the way for Finebaum to give the idea serious consideration.
Finebaum’s media career began in Birmingham in the 1980s, first as a newspaper reporter and columnist, before he became the host of “The Paul Finebaum Show.” The program, syndicated across the Southeast, became a cultural institution in Alabama, especially during the height of the University of Alabama’s football dynasty under coach Nick Saban. In 2013, Finebaum joined ESPN to anchor the launch of the SEC Network, and he has remained a central figure in college football coverage ever since. He signed a multiyear contract extension with ESPN in 2024, but acknowledged that a Senate run would require him to step aside from his media duties.
Despite living in North Carolina for over a decade due to his work with ESPN, Finebaum and his wife recently relocated back to Birmingham, Alabama—a move that opens the door for him to re-register as a voter in the state and fulfill residency requirements for a Senate campaign. Finebaum is a registered Republican, having voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election, though he has described himself as a moderate. “I really feel like I’m a fairly middle-of-the-road person,” he told The Athletic. “’Moderate’ is not a popular word anymore.”
Finebaum has long been circumspect about his political views, both because of ESPN’s policy discouraging political discussion and his desire not to alienate his diverse audience. Yet, in his conversation with OutKick’s Clay Travis, he was more forthcoming: “I’ve never said this before, but why am I going to hold this back? I just moved and registered in Alabama, but I am a registered Republican in North Carolina as of this hour. And I was a registered Republican in Alabama before I moved.” When asked if he voted for Trump, Finebaum replied, “Yes, but [ESPN] also tells us not to discuss that.”
Finebaum’s potential candidacy has already sparked speculation about the role of celebrity and media figures in American politics—a phenomenon hardly new in recent decades. From actors and pro wrestlers to reality TV stars, nontraditional candidates have found success at the ballot box. Finebaum, for his part, believes his experience as a talk show host—listening to both sides, mediating conflict, and calling out nonsense when necessary—could serve him well in the Senate. “Absolutely, I believe very strongly in that,” he said when asked if he could be a good representative for Alabama. “One thing I don’t want to do as I sit here as a talk show host is to sound like a politician, because I’m not. At least not yet.”
Still, the path to a Senate run is not without its challenges. Finebaum is candid about the personal and professional sacrifices involved, especially at this stage of his life. “I’ve been made aware that the qualifying deadline is in January. That’s ideal. I’d love to get to the end of the season. I don’t know if that’s realistic. I would like to make this decision fairly soon, in the next 30 to 45 days,” he told OutKick, mindful of the January 26, 2026, filing deadline.
Finebaum’s decision may hinge on a final nudge from the highest levels of the Republican Party. When asked if he would run if requested by former President Trump, he replied, “Impossible to tell him no. There’s no way I could. I would tell him yes.”
As the deadline approaches and speculation mounts, one thing is clear: Paul Finebaum’s connection to Alabama runs deep. “Alabama has always been the place I’ve felt the most welcome, that I’ve cared the most about the people. I’ve spoken to people from Alabama for 35 years and I feel there is a connection that is hard to explain,” he said. Whether that connection translates into a successful Senate campaign remains to be seen, but for now, all eyes in Alabama—and across the country—are on Finebaum as he weighs his next move.
