SEC Analyst Paul finebaum Weighs Potential Senate Run in Alabama
September 29, 2025, 3:56 PM ET – SEC Network host Paul Finebaum announced Monday he is seriously considering a run for the U.S.Senate seat representing Alabama, potentially leaving his prominent role at ESPN.
The 70-year-old Finebaum stated in a recent interview with Outkick that he would run as a republican to succeed current Senator Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn University football coach, who intends to campaign for Alabama governor in the 2026 election. Tuberville’s current Senate term is scheduled to end in 2027.
Finebaum indicated he would need to step down from his hosting and analyst duties at ESPN and the SEC Network should he pursue the Senate bid. He plans to make a final decision within the next 30-45 days, coinciding with the January 26, 2026 qualifying deadline for Senate candidates.
While Finebaum admitted he hadn’t previously contemplated a career in politics, he cited the assassination of Charlie Kirk as a catalyst for further consideration. He also revealed he’d received inquiries from individuals in Washington, D.C., regarding his potential interest in running. “It was something I never thought about before,” Finebaum told Outkick.
Currently a registered Republican in North carolina, where he is employed by the SEC Network, Finebaum recently relocated to Alabama, where he hosted a radio show for nearly three decades. he intends to re-register to vote in Alabama.
Before joining ESPN, finebaum spent almost 30 years as a radio host in Alabama, beginning his media career as a newspaper writer and columnist. He expressed a deep connection to the state, stating, “Alabama has always been the place I’ve felt the moast 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.”
