re: Per Sources: ESPN/Disney Cancels Finebaum

Clay Travis is a special type of human buttplug and frankly epitomizes what is wrong with modern society. I don’t care if my politics probably largely align with what he espouses publicly, the guy fricking sucks

Stephen A Smith goes on Hannity's show on Fox News every once in a while and no one cares. The same Fox News that makes people melt down and be unable to function simply by reading its name. Most people probably aren't aware of Outkick's existence so I don't see why anyone would care about Finebaum going on there.

Sources = "Trust me bro"

Finebaum was on the matt barrie show yesterday before Travis reported that.

Didn't McShay call him a coward and double down on it with receipts?

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People watched Finebaum??

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Not on ESPN, his core audience has rabbit ears.

Probably listened to him though in their car.

From their front yard in Tuscaloosa.

Im listening to Finebaum right now...

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If The Finebaum Show airs on SEC Network, as scheduled, he's not canceled.

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SEC Network is owned by the SEC and partners with ESPN for distribution. SEC has all control over content. ESPN can't keep him off SECN.

What Clay Travis was referring to was Finebaum not appearing in his usual guest slots on ESPN shows.

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But when conservatives said this about Kimmel it was “cancel culture bad, they can’t do that!”

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It's two very different situations.

The belief that Jimmy Kimmel's suspension from ABC was motivated by pressure from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) stems from a series of highly publicized events that created an appearance of direct government coercion.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr appeared on a conservative podcast shortly after Kimmel's controversial monologue about Kirk and explicitly suggested that ABC affiliates should pull the show or face potential regulatory action from the FCC. He was quoted as saying, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct to take actions, frankly on Kimmel, or there's going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

The suspension by ABC came just hours after Carr's comments, creating a very strong perception that the network was reacting directly to the governmental threat. This is what's called "jawboning": the improper use of threatened government action to pressure a private company into pursuing a political goal or punishing protected speech.

The FCC holds the power to grant and renew broadcast licenses. Several major ABC affiliate owners had significant, pending business before the FCC at the time of Carr's remarks. Nexstar, one of the largest owners of ABC stations, had a massive merger awaiting FCC approval, and both companies were lobbying the FCC to repeal rules that limit how many households a single company can reach. Critics believed the affiliates preempted the show as a way to get on the good side of the FCC and ensure favorable rulings on their multi-billion dollar business matters.

If ESPN has actually removed Finebaum from his regular appearances on ESPN, then it would be the result of an internal company decision regarding how to deal with an on-air talent who has discussed running for a specific office in a specific upcoming election.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the First Amendment exists to limit the powers of government, not private businesses. Many people feel more threatened by the government telling a private business "Get this person who criticizes the president off the air or we'll use our regulatory power to take revenge against you" more threatening than a media business limiting the appearances of an employee who has signaled his interest in becoming a candidate for office in the immediate future.

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I’m conflicted: I don’t think Finebaum should be cancelled for merely expressing interest in running for political office

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Me either but I can empathize. ESPN/Disney absolutely wants to appeal to the masses and they have learned what ‘cancel culture’ can do from both sides.