ESPN host Paul Finebaum has been reportedly banned from his regular appearances on ESPN programming following an interview with OutKick founder Clay Travis. Travis took to social media on Monday with his reporting that Finebaum was removed by Disney and ESPN executives following the SEC Network host’s interview with Travis regarding Finebaum’s interest in running for a vacant senate seat in the state of Alabama.
During the same interview, Finebaum stated that ESPN previously shut down a potential interview then President Donald Trump in 2019 in which the host said surrounded the LSU-Alabama showdown that year.
ESPN public relations team is denying the report. Barrett Media has also reached out to Finebaum, but has not returned messages.
Travis posted the report on his social media accounts early Monday morning.
Per sources: Disney/ESPN has removed Paul Finebaum from appearing on ESPN since his OutKick interview expressing interest in running as a Republican for senate in Alabama,” tweeted Travis. “ESPN has canceled all network appearances on all shows, including some that have occurred for a decade plus.”
It should be noted that Finebaum did broadcast his program, The Paul Finebaum Show, on Friday live from Gainesville. Ahead of the Florida Gators match up against the Texas Longhorns. Finebaum also did make an appearance on ESPN’s College Football YouTube channel during his weekly appearance with SportsCenter anchor Matt Barrie on The Matt Barrie Show.
Where Finebaum was missing from since the interview with Travis was his regular SportsCenter hit on Sunday morning where he looks back at the weekend of college football. He was also absent from a weekly appearance on First Take on ESPN.
ESPN vice president of public relations Bill Hofheimer was quick to deny the report by Travis.
“This is not true at all,” tweeted Hofheimer. “The below is TOTALLY FALSE.”
Travis then responded to ESPN PR’s statement on his report by stating the decision is above Hofheimer’s “pay grade,” and stands by his reporting.
Paul 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. In August of 2024, ESPN and Finebaum agreed to a multi-year contract extension.
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