ESPN's Double Standards and Hypocrisy: A Closer Look at Paul Finebaum and Stephen A. Smith's Treatment
Isn't it astonishing how ESPN manages to display such contrasting treatment of its commentators? When Stephen A. Smith recently hinted at his interest in running for the presidency as a Democrat, the network responded by showering him with a lucrative five-year contract worth $100 million. Interestingly, this package includes a special clause that permits Smith to participate in news segments where he can explore his political aspirations.
However, the scenario flips dramatically when we consider his colleague, Paul Finebaum. Upon expressing his interest in running as a Republican candidate for the Alabama Senate, ESPN removed him from all scheduled broadcasts on their main channel. On Monday, sources shared with OutKick that ESPN took this action after Finebaum mentioned voting for Donald Trump during an interview with Clay Travis.
In his tweet, Travis claimed, "Sources have confirmed that Disney/ESPN has axed @finebaum's appearances on @ESPN since his @outkick interview regarding his interest in a Republican Senate run in Alabama. This includes cancellations of over a decade-long regular segments across various shows."
Bill Hofheimer, the ESPN public relations representative, was quick to refute Travis's claims, declaring the report "TOTALLY FALSE." Yet, Hofheimer could not provide any evidence of Finebaum’s appearances since that notable interview, and indeed, there have been none.
For instance, Finebaum was missing from the Sunday morning episode of SportsCenter, where he typically has a recurring segment. Furthermore, he also skipped his usual spots on Get Up and First Take just days after one of the most significant weekends in college football. Although Finebaum has continued to host his radio simulcast and SEC Nation on the SEC Network, his absence from ESPN's primary programming is glaring.
So, what’s driving this apparent double standard between Smith and Finebaum? The answer seems crystal clear: Smith’s political aspirations lean towards the Democratic side, while Finebaum’s lean towards the Republican Party. This stark contrast raises profound questions about ESPN's political biases.
Double standards in political stances at ESPN are not an unusual occurrence. For example, ESPN suspended Sage Steele for breaching what they called their "ban on politics" policy after she made controversial comments. In stark contradiction, ESPN took no action when other hosts, such as Mina Kimes, Elle Duncan, David Dennis Jr., and Malika Andrews, publicly expressed support for Democratic views without facing any disciplinary action.
Additionally, Ashley Brewer, an ESPN anchor, received a reprimand for deleting a social media post featuring a picture with a Republican congressman, while Mark Jones continues to flaunt a post with Barack Obama on his social media. When questioned about these disparities, ESPN offered no comment.
To further illustrate the hypocrisy, Mark Jones had his contract renewed even after he shared numerous inflammatory social media posts, making unfounded accusations against police, issuing derogatory statements about political figures, and promoting racially charged rhetoric. The examples abound, suggesting a troubling trend where personal political alignment and identity may dictate an employee's treatment at ESPN.
Recently, former ESPN host Sam Ponder shared that management confronted her after she liked a tweet from Megyn Kelly asserting that men don’t require gynecologists. Nonetheless, ESPN failed to act against Taylor Tannebaum from the ACC Network when she engaged with posts disparaging ICE and the Trump administration.
This inconsistency leads to a disconcerting conclusion: either all employees should be given the freedom to engage in political discourse or none should. It is clear that the regulations at ESPN swing dramatically based on personal beliefs and political identity. In the case of Finebaum, as a white Jewish man who voted for Trump, it seems he never stood a fighting chance.
While it is likely ESPN might attempt to reinstate Finebaum to present an appearance of impartiality, this would likely be a temporary fix aimed at placating critics like OutKick and others. The reality is, Finebaum's future at ESPN looks uncertain, much like those of Sage Steele, Ashley Brewer, and Sam Ponder after they expressed conservative viewpoints.
Nevertheless, Finebaum has solid prospects outside the network, thanks to the respect he commands in Alabama politics and a devoted following that could easily shift to an alternative platform.
Ultimately, the real takeaway is the message ESPN communicates to its employees—that their treatment will differ based on their political affiliations and racial backgrounds. This is unfair and unjustifiable, as illustrated by the ramifications faced by Steele in her legal challenges against the network.
While we understand why ESPN reacted strongly against Finebaum's appearance on OutKick to discuss his Senate aspirations, their lack of consistency with similar situations for other employees raises serious questions about their credibility. Notably, as Smith continues to explore his Democratic primary candidacy for 2028, stating there’s "no choice" but to consider it due to overwhelming external encouragement, the disparity becomes even more pronounced.
As ESPN gears up to showcase Stephen A. Smith during upcoming Monday Night Football games, one cannot help but wonder how these biases will continue to play out among its commentators.
