McShay vs. Finebaum: The Escalation of Their Feud
Todd McShay recently escalated his ongoing feud with Paul Finebaum by calling him “a rat” and suggesting he would excel in politics. This conflict has its roots in discussions surrounding the 2023 NFL Draft.
On his podcast, McShay elaborated on his previous accusation of Finebaum being “one of the all-time cowards.” He shared that Finebaum had publicly challenged McShay’s reporting on Jalen Carter’s character, refusing to acknowledge McShay’s valid concerns after Carter faced legal issues following a tragic incident.
“When I label him an all-time coward, it’s based on his actions,” McShay explained. “I also think he’s deceitful, and that makes him well-suited for a political career.” During their decade at ESPN together, McShay showed up when Finebaum needed him, despite their lack of camaraderie. He contributed to Finebaum’s segments even though it didn’t significantly benefit his career as an NFL Draft analyst.
While McShay had his share of grievances with Finebaum throughout the years, it wasn’t until the Jalen Carter controversy that things grew contentious. In December 2022, well before the NFL Draft, McShay voiced his concerns regarding Carter’s maturity and work ethic, despite acknowledging his talent. He had gathered extensive information from various sources within the Georgia program to substantiate his claims.
Following McShay’s comments, he faced backlash from Georgia fans and players. However, when Carter was later charged in connection with a fatal crash, McShay’s earlier warnings seemed validated. Despite this, Finebaum not only failed to apologize but criticized McShay’s reporting on air, claiming he spoke to reliable sources who contradicted McShay’s assessment.
McShay was particularly frustrated when Finebaum, after Carter’s arrest, continued to undermine his credibility without reaching out for clarification. This disregard for communication from a colleague whom McShay had supported for years only intensified his anger.
After expressing his frustrations to ESPN executives, McShay decided to move on from the situation, though he felt betrayed by Finebaum. His contract with ESPN expired in June 2023, allowing him to finally share his side of the story without reservations.
