Paul Finebaum Reportedly Benched by ESPN Over Political Clay Travis Interview
ESPN
OutKick’s Clay Travis reported Monday that ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum was “removed” from ESPN programming after an interview in which he hinted at political ambitions, but ESPN is denying that it benched the star commentator.
Last week, Finebaum sat down with Travis for an interview. During their conversation, the analyst claimed that at least one high-profile figure in Alabama politics had pushed for him to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), who is running for governor.
Finebaum said he had never considered a career in politics, but the recent killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk inspired him to seriously consider making the pivot. He also confirmed that he’d run as a Republican and that he voted for President Donald Trump in 2024.
Asked by Travis what he’d do if Trump publicly vouched for him, Finebaum insisted he’d have no choice but to run.
That interview, according to Travis, cost Finebaum airtime:
Per sources: Disney/ESPN has removed @finebaum from appearing on @ESPN since his @outkick interview expressing interest in running as a Republican for senate in Alabama. ESPN has canceled all network appearances on all shows, including some that have occurred for a decade plus.
Finebaum is not an announced candidate for Alabama senate yet. ESPN’s @stephenasmith has discussed running for president as a Democrat and the network has taken no action in this matter. @outkick has requested comment from @espn @Disney and a story will be forthcoming on site.
Shortly after Travis posted the thread on X/Twitter, AL.com independently confirmed it.
That report was met with a swift denial from ESPN public relations vice president Bill Hofheimer.
“This is not true at all,” Hofheimer said. “The below is TOTALLY FALSE.”
In response, Travis stood by his reporting and challenged Hofheimer to explain Finebaum’s absence over the weekend.
When asked for comment on Travis’ reporting, an ESPN spokesperson told Mediaite, “This is not true,” and provided a link to Hofheimer’s tweet.
