Report: Paul Finebaum expects to be at SEC Media Days in Atlanta next week
By Adam Spencer
Published:
One of the big stories heading into next week’s SEC Media Days in Atlanta is whether or not ESPN and SEC Network host Paul Finebaum will be there.
Finebaum and ESPN are in the middle of some lengthy contract negotiations, and his contract is set to expire at the end of this month.
However, on Tuesday, USA TODAY’s Dan Wolken reportedly spoke with Finebaum, who said he expects to be in Atlanta next week:
Reached by phone Tuesday, Finebaum declined comment on his future, other than to say he expects to be on set Monday in Atlanta when SEC Media Days begins. One person familiar with the matter from the ESPN side, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions, called the story overblown and said the speculation of his departure was unsubstantiated. Even if Finebaum and ESPN can’t come to terms by next week, the plan seems to be business as usual.
This, of course, doesn’t necessarily mean Finebaum will stay with ESPN past the end of July, but it is a positive sign.
Imagining the SEC Network without Finebaum is tough to do, but that’s still a very real possibility as the 2018 season draws ever closer.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
