Sports radio at its core is community connecting through the love of sports. Where broadcasters take listeners on a journey, sharing as a vessel to share their voice on their favorite teams. Few broadcasters can consider themselves a voice for the sport. Then again, few broadcasters present their program like Paul Finebaum on ESPN and the SEC Network.
“This is not something that I thought I would be doing out of college. It’s something that literally happened somewhat accidentally,” said Finebaum. “I take the role as the host very seriously.”
From his roots as an award-winning columnist and investigative reporter, Paul Finebaum has transformed his career from paper to the microphone. For over 30 years, Finebaum has been a leading voice of college football and the Southeastern Conference. Legions of fans found connection through community every time Finebaum opens his mic hosting his program the only way he knows how.
“Unfortunately, radio is often very cookie-cutter. I don’t think I could get a job today if I was looking for one at a radio station,” explained Finebaum. “Most people just don’t get it at first glance. I’m not as loud as the perception. I don’t make as much noise. I don’t offer as many opinions. I just start the show. A lot of people think the first thing, let’s just go to the calls. That’s not really it. I want the people listening to be most comfortable.”
Challenging College Football’s Biggest Stars
Finebaum provides his listeners with honest commentary with no fear of judgment. He’s a believer in his formula for success while keeping an eye on what his peers are doing around him. Finebaum is known as “the voice of the SEC,” which he considers a blessing. Achieving success while utilizing his journalism background to provide an honest assessment of the conference and the sport.
“You can’t make it personal,” Finebaum spoke of how he approaches his critiques. “Coming from the newspaper industry and being a practicing journalist for many years. That’s not something you do. You let your work speak for you. I’ve always tried to do that.”
With the responsibility of the platform he has, Finebaum admits that there are some instances where he receives responses from schools, coaches or players. He even jokes about a response he received from Hall of Fame wrestler Ric Flair, which Finebaum did not respond back out of fear. Finebaum has learned over the years how to avoid responding. Leaning on the wisdom of fellow ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso.
“When you’re wrong, say little,” noted Finebaum’s recollection of Corso’s words. “When you’re right, say less.”
Finebaum has been a mainstay at ESPN for over a decade. He joined the company in 2013 and helped launch the SEC Network in 2014 as one of its main talents. Over the time Finebaum has called ESPN home, he has seen much change in how the network has showcased the sport of college football.
Lee Corso’s College Football Legacy
On August 30, ESPN will be going through another change as Lee Corso will be retiring from his post on College GameDay after nearly 40 years on the network. Finebaum worked alongside Corso and the GameDay crew for one season in 2013 and reflected on Corso’s impact on the sport of college football.
“Lee Corso is maybe the single most impactful person in the history of the medium in relation to college football,” said Finebaum. “He just took a different approach. He gave thoughtful analysis, but he showed the underside of why we love college football. It’s the craziness of it. It’s the fans.”
When news broke of Corso’s retirement, there was much fanfare and respect shown to the former coach turned broadcaster for his impact on the game of college football. There also was a share of criticism for the network allowing Corso to continue being a part of the program as he continued to age, while taking a less on-camera role.
“I can’t tell you how many times in my career I’ve sat around with my friends asking, ‘Why is that guy still doing this?’” said Finebaum, not specifically referencing Corso. “Now here I am, I’m asking myself the question, why am I still doing it? It’s a fair question. I ask friends of mine all the time. Am I okay? You want somebody to tell you.”
Finebaum notes that he feels Corso has done a phenomenal job embracing not just who he is, but what he is. He feels that’s why fans love him more now than before and have grown to love fellow College GameDay co-host Kirk Herbstreit for “taking care of him [Corso] like a son would take care of a father.”
In regard to the final College GameDay episode for Corso, Finebaum hopes the program has all the feels.
“Screw the rundown, make it about Corso,” said Finebaum. “I want to see the love from the fans. I want to see his family. I want that show to end at 11:59:59, and I want to be sitting there in my living room with tears running down my eyes thanking Lee Corso.”
Finebaum on Making an Interview Impactful
Finebaum is preparing for another season of coverage on ESPN and the SEC Network as college football is ever so near. He will continue his weekly appearances on the ESPN weekday programs, all while continuing to host The Paul Finebaum Show daily on the SEC Network and ESPN Radio.
Finebaum launched the Paul Finebaum Radio Network in 2001, and for nearly a quarter-century has provided listeners commentary with depth and interviews that have impact. His style in speaking with his guests is simple: listen and keep your mouth shut.
“I learned early on the worst thing in the world is when somebody said something dramatic and you go, ‘Oh my goodness.’ You don’t want the person on the witness stand who is drowning to realize what they just said. So, you just keep a poker face, and that’s what I do,” explained Finebaum.
With his background in radio and adapting to television over the years, the radio program is simulcast daily on SEC Network. Finebaum finds that most interviews on television don’t go as well or look as good as they should.
“If you’re prepared, you don’t need to read your questions. Too often, and I see this in television, the interviewer is so focused on what he or she is looking at or looking down for the next question that they don’t listen to the answer,” critiqued Finebaum. “I do every interview with no notes. I’m just listening, and I’ll deviate because I’m trying to make the subject comfortable. I want the subject to be the star.”
Knowing What Your Audience Wants Is Paramount
Finebaum has been hosting his daily radio program on ESPN Radio and the SEC Network since the launch of the network in 2014. It has become a daily staple for audiences who enjoy content surrounding Saturdays at the stadium.
Last week, ESPN Radio added Rich Eisen to their weekday lineup beginning in September. Finebaum says he’s “never” been asked about being a part of the weekday lineup and its hundreds of affiliates.
“There was a time when Nick Khan [Finebaum’s former agent] brought it up and he said we have to get you on ESPN Radio. Then one time he came and told me, I don’t think it’s such a good idea, you’re better off in your own space,” Finebaum explained.
Finebaum said he’s always been told by “radio honchos” that his program is too regional for the fit of what ESPN Radio provides.
“The problem with being on that format was, do I really want to talk about Dak Prescott, Aaron Rodgers, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant? As opposed to talking to my callers about things that they love? No, I don’t,” said Finebaum. “ESPN Radio is a great forum, and I’ll leave it to the people that run it to manage it. They don’t need my advice.”
Finebaum on the Future of the Sports Radio Format
Recently, some talents on ESPN have arranged agreements. Branch out to other platforms or gaining more freedoms to create platforms of their own. Finebaum remains satisfied with his role and radio program—albeit he is not hopeful for the future of sports radio.
“Sadly, I think it’s declining just like the numbers indicate. I think it’s like a lot of other things. Once you get to a point, I don’t think you can reverse it,” said Finebaum. “Young people don’t even know there’s a radio in the car or at home. I’m fascinated by the podcasting world, but I think that’s far more relevant than radio. Radio will always have a point. I just hope the people that run radio will continue to embrace talent that matters and not try to be so micromanaging.”
Finebaum referenced the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point in his career. He never missed hosting his radio program despite the challenges of producing it remotely. Finebaum admitted he was starting to burn out heading into 2020. A forced period of reflection led Finebaum to look inward at the importance of what he was establishing and delivering for his audience.
“I love radio,” noted Finebaum. “My favorite things I’ve ever done were writing and being on radio. Television is fantastic. It’s on everywhere, but radio is so personal. There’s nothing quite like in the afternoon, visualizing as you’re talking or making a point. Whether it’s a rant, phone call, interview, or something else. You’re thinking about that man or woman on the interstate driving home, listening to you with no other distractions other than trying to stay on the road.”
Now at 70 years old, Finebaum is looking ahead to another round of Saturdays in the fall. The goal? Serving the consumer as the vessel to bring a sense of community through the love and passion of college football. With tomorrow never promised, Finebaum says he feels incredibly blessed to be able to continue his work in a way that matters more now than ever before.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
