Paul Finebaum was considering a major career pivot.
The longtime SEC Network host and ESPN personality toyed with the idea of moving into politics. Finebaum had told OutKick that he has been thinking about a run for political office.
Here is what to know about his political ambitions and the current decision of one of ESPN's main voices of college football.
MORE: What to know about Stephen A. Smith's potential presidential run
Is Paul Finebaum running for U.S. Senate?
Finebaum has decided to not run for U.S. Senate. He had previously told OutKick he was "considering it."
He took a new interest in the opportunity after recently retired Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl shared that he would not run. There is an open seat in the Senate as former Auburn football head coach Tommy Tuberville is leaving to run for Governor of Alabama.
"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 said. He also said, "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."
Finebaum called the opportunity "very intriguing" and previously said, "I am thinking about it constantly." Ultimately, the analyst decided not to run for the open Alabama Senate seat.
MORE: Why Bruce Pearl stepped down as Auburn's head coach after 11 seasons
Is Paul Finebaum leaving ESPN?
Finebaum is not leaving ESPN at this time. He said that if he had decided to run for office that, "I would have to."
On Monday, Oct. 6, Bill Hofheimer, VP, ESPNPR, refuted a report that Finebaum had been removed from ESPN programming since announcing his interest in running for Senate.
This is not true at all. The below is TOTALLY FALSE. Https://t.co/nmnBA9mj13
— bill hofheimer (@bhofheimer_espn) October 6, 2025
Is Paul Finebaum a Republican or Democrat?
Finebaum is a Republican.
"I just moved and registered in Alabama, but I am a registered Republican in North Carolina as of this hour," Finebaum said in his interview. "And I was a registered Republican in Alabama before I moved."
Where does Paul Finebaum live?
Finebaum and his wife moved to Charlotte, N.C., in 2013, but recently moved back to Alabama, opening the path for a political run. He said he is registered in North Carolina "as of this hour," during his Outkick interview.
He called Alabama "the place I've felt the most welcome, that I've cared the most about the people."
Paul Finebaum net worth
Finebaum's net worth is $2 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
The exact figure is unknown, as there is no public information available on Finebaum's annual salary with ESPN.