Matthew Wilson
ESPN is under fire for allegedly benching analyst Paul Finebaum over political ambitions. Now, a representative is responding to the allegations.
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ESPN Response: On X, ESPN’s Vice President of Communications, Bill Hofheimer, replied to Outkick founder Clay Travis about the report. Here’s what Hofheimer had to say on the matter.
- “This is not true at all. The [post] is TOTALLY FALSE,” Hofheimer said about Finebaum being allegedly taken off the network.
What Happened: Taking a pause for a second, let’s examine what happened exactly. Finebaum recently appeared on an episode of the OutKick podcast alongside Travis. During the episode, Finebaum discussed the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He also said that he considered a Senate run in Alabama.
- “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.”
Paul Finebaum On Politics
Disappeared From Network: Following the podcast episode, Finebaum disappeared from ESPN. Travis was quick to take to social media to report why.
- “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.”
Travis also fired back at ESPN’s Vice President of Communications. According to Travis, where there is smoke, there is fire.
- “LOL. This decision is above your pay grade, Bill. Why wasn’t [Paul Finebaum] on Sunday AM SportsCenter yesterday? Or First Take this morning? For the first time in over a decade? Reacting to one of the biggest college football weekends of the year? I stand by my sources.”
The story is blowing up and becoming a controversial moment for ESPN. This comes weeks after ABC temporarily pulled Jimmy Kimmel for comments he made about Kirk’s alleged shooter. They ultimately brought the show back after a few days.
Meanwhile, many point out that ESPN analyst, Stephen A. Smith, also mentioned a potential presidential run in 2028.
- “I have no desire to be a politician, but I’ve decided that I’m no longer going to close that door,” said Smith. “I’m gonna keep my options open. I’m going to entertain the possibility. If it comes in late 2026, 2027, where I look at this country and think it’s an absolute mess and there’s legitimate reason to believe… that I indeed have a legitimate shot to win the presidency of the United States. I am not going to rule it out.”
The network didn’t can Smith for political ambitions.
