Feinbaum Reflects on Political Atmosphere in Alabama

Longtime host of the SEC Network and a prominent voice for Alabama sports, Paul Feinbaum, recently discussed the potential for Alabama’s upcoming U.S. Senate races in 2026.

In a conversation with Clay Travis from OutKick, Feinbaum revealed plans were in place for interviews through contacts in Washington. They were even organizing a trip to the White House ahead of a major game at Bryant Denny Stadium, which Trump was set to attend.

However, Feinbaum mentioned that ESPN executives halted those plans. “I’m devastated,” he expressed, emphasizing that it wasn’t primarily about politics but rather the significance of the U.S. president attending one of the year’s biggest college football matches.

He recounted how producers felt compelled to take significant action, saying, “Our producers said, ‘We have to do something big.'” Feinbaum reached out to a friend in D.C. who was ready to arrange the details at the White House.

Historically, ESPN’s management has urged the network to focus solely on sports. When taking the helm, ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro firmly stated that the network is “not a political organization.”

Nevertheless, criticisms have arisen regarding uneven application of this guideline. Notably, former President Barack Obama has been prominently featured across ESPN’s platforms, including special events like the NCAA tournament selection segment termed “Barack-Etology.”

Recently, Feinbaum has shown increased interest in potentially running for the open Senate seat in Alabama. He shared that state Republican leaders have reached out regarding his candidacy, and he is “continuously thinking” about the possibilities.