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Paul Finebaum Talking To Other Networks, Could Inspire New Sitcom

Finebaum's ESPN deal runs through next summer, but he could leave at the end of the college football seasonESPN IMAGES

ESPN's Paul Finebaum and his reps at CAA have met with all four major networks to gauge interest in a sitcom about the 64-year-old radio/TV personality, his call-in show and its many colorful characters. A sitcom is one of several opportunities Finebaum is exploring as he nears the end of his contract at ESPN and SEC Network, sources say. Finebaum's three-year, $5M deal runs through next summer, but sources say he could leave as early as the end of the '20 college football season. Finebaum has been approached about creating a Bill Simmons-style media property similar to The Ringer. Finebaum's show theoretically would be the anchor for a podcast and editorial business. One scenario has it based inside the College Football HOF in Atlanta. Separately, plans are under way to produce a documentary that would chronicle how Finebaum, dubbed the "King of the South" in a New Yorker piece in '12, rose from local radio host in Birmingham to a leading national voice on college football. The idea for a sitcom about a sports media talent is unusual, but not unprecedented. "Listen Up!," which ran on CBS in '04-05, was based on ESPN's Tony Kornheiser. Finebaum's friendship with former ESPN President John Skipper, who is DAZN executive chair, has led to discussions about a new role for Finebaum and his show if the host decides to leave ESPN, sources say. The DAZN opportunity would mimic what the streaming service did recently with Pat McAfee.

TWITTER REAX: The Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell tweeted, "Finebaum seems bored by what he's currently doing. Can see why he'd explore options." Wall Street Journal's Jason Gay: "Shorter version: Paul wants a big raise from ESPN." The Anniston Star's Mark Edwards: "If he leaves @SECNetwork can I get some of my regional sports fee back on my DIRECTV bill?" Baton Rouge Advocate's Timothy Boone: "I would rather watch videos of pigs being slaughtered and butchered than a Paul Finebaum sitcom." Samford Univ. Center for Sports Analytics Exec Dir Darin White: "Would you tune in?" Michigan NPR host April Baer: "Is this real?"

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