ESPN host Paul Finebaum considers US Senate run in Alabama, citing Charlie Kirk inspiration

SEC Network host and commentator Paul Finebaum has said that he is considering leaving ESPN in order to run for the US Senate, and would run as a Republican. He made the announcement in an interview on Monday. 

Finebaum was discussing the possibility while speaking to Outkick's Clay Travis. He stated that the assassination of Charlie Kirk made him rethink his priorities. "I spent four hours numb talking about things that didn't matter to me. And it kept building throughout that weekend," Finebaum said. "I felt very empty doing what I was doing that day."

Although he did not personally know Kirk, he stated, "It's hard to describe, not being involved in politics, how that affected me and affected tens of millions of people all over this country. And it was an awakening."

Then he had some conversations with some people in Washington, DC, and his interest turned more to politics. "One or two people in Washington had reached out to me about whether I would be interested in politics, something I never thought about before. Something I didn't really think possible," he said. "I gave some thought to it as the [after Kirk's murder] weekend unfolded and got a little bit more interested."

Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville will be running for governor in the state, likely leaving the Senate seat for the taking. Finebaum said that he was reluctant to consider that an option, since former Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl has also expressed interest in running. However, Pearl said it wasn't his plan, and when Finebaum learned this, it changed his perspective.

"I was… hesitant at first because I was very aware of Bruce’s interest and [I'm a] huge fan of Bruce… I didn’t take it too seriously," Finebaum added. "I ended up talking to someone… who made it clear that there was a desire for me to be involved. And this person… was compelling and compassionate in the approach to me, and I started thinking about this."

"Alabama has always been the place I've felt the most 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," he added.