Paul Finebaum

Interviewed by Abraham Madkour
Executive Editor of SportsBusiness Journal

Thursday, November 1, 2018
7:00 p.m. in Loretta Spencer Hall

Member tickets: $40 | Non-member Tickets: $60
Tickets available to members on September 14 | Tickets available to non-members on October 5

Abbreviated Biography:

Paul Finebaum is a television and radio personality, and former columnist. After many years as a reporter, columnist, and sports-talk radio host in the Birmingham area, Finebaum was hired by ESPN in 2013 for its new SEC Network starting in 2014, and produces a radio/television simulcast out of the network’s regional base in Charlotte. The show is also heard on SiriusXM radio.

Finebaum arrived in Birmingham in 1980 and became a columnist and investigative reporter for the Birmingham Post-Herald. Finebaum’s work has earned him over 250 national, regional, and area sports writing awards including the APSE award in 1983 for best investigative reporting. After leaving the Post-Herald, he wrote for more than 10 years for the Mobile Register and later for SI.com. Since joining ESPN, has written for both ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com

In 2013, Finebaum signed a book deal with Harper Collins and in 2015, “My Conference Can Beat Your Conference, Why the SEC Still Rules Football,’’ written with Gene Wojoiechowsk opened at No. 6 on the The New York Times best-seller for sports books and remained on the list for five months.

He is considered one of the medium’s finest interviewers. Recently, ESPN’s Joe Tessitore, on the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast (12-8-16) with Richard Deitsch, said: “If you asked me who are the two greatest interviewers on radio and television, I would say Paul Finebaum and Howard Stern.”

He has been a guest on television’s Larry King Live, CBS’ 60 Minutes, Nancy Grace, MSNBC’s Morning Joe, HBO, and Tru TV.  He is also a recurring guest on Pardon My Take.

Finebaum and his wife, Dr. Linda Hudson, who previously served as Chief of Staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, reside in Charlotte.

About Abraham Madkour:

Abraham Madkour brings more than 20 years of experience covering the business of sports and serves as Executive Editor of SportsBusiness Journal, SportsBusiness Daily/Global. He is responsible for shaping the editorial direction of the publications while managing the entire editorial staff. He also oversees the editorial content for the various conferences produced by the Sports Business Group, including the prestigious World Congress of Sports, Sports Business Awards and Forty Under 40 awards. Madkour writes weekly editorials and pro le features of the management and leadership strategies of leading industry executives. He is a frequent industry speaker and serves as the lead moderator and editorial spokesman at all of the company’s events.

Thank you Sponsors!

Paul Finebaum Lead Sponsor:

The Honorable Loretta Spencer

Event Sponsors:

Peter and Betsy Lowe
Jean Wessel Templeton

Jana and Dane Block
Charlie and Wayne Bonner
April and Steve Denney
Virginia and Parker Griffith
Kelli and Mark Jackson
Carole and Buddy Jones
Shelbie King
Renasant Bank
Susan and Britt Sexton

Additional Support:
ESPN Radio 97.7 FM