Paul Finebaum considering a move? SEC Network host reportedly met with John Skipper
Could Paul Finebaum be considering a move from ESPN?
That’s the latest speculation as The Big Lead is reporting that the SEC Network host recently met with former ESPN boss John Skipper in New York. After leaving ESPN, Skipper was hired by DAZN as executive chairman.
If you are unfamiliar with DAZN, it is a streaming service that features lives sports. Similar to ESPN when it first debuted, the network features live sports from around the world, most notably soccer, and has become one of the biggest international streaming services. After having so much success outside of the US, DAZN continues to search for ways to become more popular in the United States.
If you were unaware, Pat McAfee has a show on DAZN, and according to The Big Lead, Finebaum could be the network’s next target to help bring in the American audience. The site is reporting that Skipper and Finebaum met recently and could be considering joining forces once again:
Finebaum has a relationship with DAZN executive chairman John Skipper, who was his former boss at ESPN. The Big Lead has learned that Finebaum and Skipper had dinner together last month in New York City, and that this is a relationship that goes beyond a former boss and employee staying in touch. Before Skipper’s abrupt departure from ESPN, he was deep in contract negotiations with Finebaum. During the meetings, Skipper expressed Finebaum’s value to ESPN and what he does for the network’s partnership with the SEC. The extension Skipper was working on with Finebaum was centered around a yearly salary that was north of $3 million per year, and could have reached up to $4 million.
According to The Big Lead, Finebaum eventually got a deal from ESPN worth roughly half of what Skipper was willing to pay Finebaum. Finebaum and ESPN have not commented on this story at this time.
They can have him.
But aren’t you the main investigator for his ‘news’?
if you say it, we can ‘take it to the bank’ as far as it being the truth.
Get back to me.
I would love to chat.
I appreciate his commentary but really like to hear from former players and coaches instead. More power to him if he can move on and better himself with more money but also will not hurt the SEC network if he leaves.
I agree, I prefer to hear from former coaches and players too.
I’d be fine with him leaving channels I watch and moving to channels that I never watch. Go for it, Paul.
Do It!
I personally would be ok with his departure and he can take his “Jerry Springer” mentality show with him. Finebum on a national stage exists now only to stir the pot and to jump up and down screaming “Look at me, look at me”!
If someone offered you triple your current salary-you’d go, right ? It’s merely a $$$ thing. Plus I heard that Paul is away from home 3-4 nights a week with his current gig…plus he’s had a really bad cold for two(2) weeks or so, from all that travel. I watch his show sometimes…some of his callers are a riot, a comedy show in themselves.
Please let this happen. If I never had to hear his voice or see his little rat face again I would be delighted.
If he does sign with DAZN,I can’t wait to hear the sound of the head explosion from every single Bammer since they’ll have lost their biggest mouthpiece.
I actually enjoy listening to him since I travel in the car for hours for business on a weekly basis. Some of his call ins are obnoxious morons, like Jim, but there’s lots on topic info that I couldn’t get elsewhere while driving around my territory.
He’s a misfit on SEC Nation. I wonder who SEC Nation would go after to replace him.
What does Dari Nowkah do on Saturdays? I’m pretty sure Peter Burns does the CFB scoreboard with Joey whatsisface and Jesse Palmer.
As an Alabama fan I welcome his departure. He gives college football a professional wrestling vibe that I could do without. But I’m afraid it sounds like he’s just bringing someone in rather than going out. I’ve never been a fan and seems to just be ridding coat tails. Why is he in Alabama? He’s from Tennessee. I’m sure when saban retires he’ll pack up and leave.
He’s in Charlotte.
Bye Felicia.
Promises…promises
Does he take all of his fake radio characters with him? Like Jim from Tuscaloosa? How about the two half wits who pretend to be his producers? They could leave anytime.