The radio host who became the voice of a Southern sports controversy
In short: In the high-stakes world of Southeastern college football, few names carry as much weight as Paul Finebaum. While known for his sharp columns and awards, he became a central figure in a scandal involving poisoned trees and intense fan fury.
Paul Finebaum, a Tennessee University alumnus born in Memphis, has built a career as a prominent sports journalist and radio personality. After working as a reporter and columnist for the Birmingham Post-Herald starting in 1980, he transitioned into radio, eventually hosting the highest-rated sports talk show in Birmingham. Sports Illustrated ranked his programme among the 12 premier US sports radio broadcasts by 2004. His professional journey includes stints at the Mobile Press Register and serving as a sports director for WIAT-TV. He also earned a political science degree in 1978.
Finebaum’s influence extends beyond mere reporting; he often finds himself at the center of the intense rivalries defining the Southeast. In 2010, following an Iron Bowl victory by the Auburn Tigers over the Alabama Crimson Tide, a caller known as "Al from Dadeville" claimed on Finebaum's show that he had poisoned the iconic trees at Auburn's Toomer's Corner. The caller, later identified as Harvey Updyke, blamed the act on his allegiance to Alabama. The fallout brought Finebaum into the national spotlight on networks like CNN and NBC Nightly News, where some listeners even blamed his platform for the incident. The controversy even led to intense criticism from callers, with one person suggesting blood would be on his hands. This era of his career was captured in the 2011 documentary Roll Tide/War Eagle.
Since 2013, Finebaum has been a fixture on ESPN’s SEC Network, broadcasting from Charlotte, North Carolina. His career is marked by both accolades, such as receiving the University of Tennessee's Accomplished Alumni Award in 2013, and controversy. While he has explored political ambitions, including a potential run for the U.S. Senate in 2026, he ruled out such a campaign in December 2025. Beyond the airwaves, he is a prolific author, known for his 'I Hate...' book series. His literary success includes a New York Times bestseller that reached number six in the sports category.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Paul Finebaum
- Also: Wikidata — Paul Finebaum · CC0
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