ESPN’s Paul Finebaum Ripped by Big Ten Fans After Critical Comments originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Paul Finebaum has become a lightning rod for controversy since joining ESPN and starting his own talk show.
With his pro-SEC rants and willingness to confront fans of other conferences, Finebaum has built a name, and a reputation that precedes himself, during his time on major sports television in recent years.
Over the weekend, Finebaum began turning his attention to the Big Ten Conference and its two recent national champions, Michigan and Ohio State, as he revealed his lack of faith in the Wolverines and the rest of the Big Ten Conference to win the 2025-26 national title on the Netflix Sports Show.
Fans took the opportunity to respond, and lay into Finebaum with comments on social media.
“I am so sick and tired of being harassed by Big Ten fans on our show,” Finebaum said in a video shared yesterday.
He predicted an SEC national title winner while piggybacking off of and doubling down on his anti-Big Ten comments, a combination that didn’t sit well with fans.
“If it’s not I’m leaving the country. I am so sick and tired of being harassed by Big Ten fans on our show. … They act like they invented football.” @finebaum has had enough of Big Ten fans, and predicts that an SEC team will win the National Championship 😂 @danikluppic.twitter.com/LNXFwU7IL3
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) August 9, 2025
“It’s another Big Ten team,” an Ohio State fan said on X.
Finebaum’s comment that Big Ten fans “act like they invented football included respondents who mentioned Big Ten member Rutgers as the ‘Birthplace of College Football.’
In case you missed it. https://t.co/HKPDt7Kf8J
— 🅧 Zach ❔ (@Zw4d3402) August 10, 2025
“Rutgers played in the first college football game. The Pro Football Hall of Fame is in Ohio.,” another fan added.
Rutgers played in the first college football game. The pro football hall of fame is in Ohio. They did invent football.
— Degenerate Gambler (@DegenerateBets1) August 9, 2025
“Does it only apply if the Big 10 wins? What if a Big 12, ACC or Notre Dame wins the title? Either way he’s going to be sad,” another added.
“Well Paul, might want to start looking into booking flights because they are a lot cheaper now than they are in January,” another reader said to Finebaum.
Related: Prized Michigan Freshman Calls out NCAA Coaches for Allegedly Lying During Recruiting Process
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
