Birmingham Radio: Paul Finebaum To Join ESPN

Paul Finebaum will leave Birmingham to begin hosting a radio show and a simulcast television show in Charlotte, the Wall Street Journal has reported.

In Charlotte, Finebaum will be part of a package that includes a radio program on the ESPN networks, 100 televised appearances annually on ESPN, and a TV simulcast of his radio show on the ESPN-owned SEC Network when it launches in August 2014, the WSJ reported. His new, Charlotte-based radio show will begin airing Aug. 1, according to the WSJ.

"It would be the understatement of my life to say I wasn't thrilled," Finebaum said in the WSJ report. "It is incredibly exciting to be part of a new adventure, particularly one that involves the premiere brand in sports along with the pre-eminent conference in sports."

While Finebaum's new show will originate out of Charlotte, David DuBose, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Summit Media, told AL.com Tuesday that he anticipates the show will air in Birmingham on ESPN 97.3 The Zone, which is a Summit station.

"The show will be airing in Birmingham," DuBose said. "Yes, we are the ESPN affiliate, and even though this will be a separate product from the main ESPN programming, we have just talked to the ESPN folks and our intention is to carry the show here in Birmingham."

However, two other sources in the Birmingham radio market said it has yet to be decided where Finebaum's show will air here, and it could still return to WJOX 94.5 FM, where it aired for six years until his contract expired on Jan. 21.

Also, AL.com has learned that Finebaum will be at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., on Thursday to be formally introduced on a number of ESPN radio and television programs. He and his wife, Linda Hudson, are expected to be in Charlotte later that night. The new SEC Network will be based out of Charlotte.

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