Paul Finebaum explains why Kevin Warren's rocky tenure has been celebrated by many

On a recent episode of the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning podcast, the duo had SEC aficionado Paul Finebaum on as their guest. But the trio had another issue on their mind besides the SEC; the tenure of now former Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren. McElroy and Finebaum appeared to be in agreement that the former Big Ten commissioner’s time in the position could be described as rocky. But what McElroy could not figure out was why Warren was celebrated despite his struggles. And Finebaum had a straightforward answer to that question.

“Well, I think some of it comes along the lines of regional bias,” said Finebaum. “I think there is reporting out there, and I know people are going to laugh because I’m the one making this statement, that certain parts of the country lean toward particular leagues. But I think that’s true. I found myself talking and interviewing people who were more aligned with the Big Ten skewing things in Warren’s favor. Whereas an objective person would have found a completely different story.

Warren left his position with the Big Ten to become the Chicago Bears’ Team President. Although that move was made back in January, the effects of his decision are still being felt by the conference, with the Big Ten’s new TV deal issues current commissioner Tony Petitti is dealing with.

“Now I personally am aware that people say the same thing about me and you and others. And that doesn’t bother me. I really don’t care. I feel like we call things the way they are down here. But to answer your question, that’s what it was. I think some people are so sick and tired of the SEC being so dominant that they tend to look the other way. Even when Warren was bumping into walls like a puppy trying to walk for the first time,” said Finebaum.

Whether the SEC’s dominance played a role in how fans of the Big Ten viewed Warren’s tenure is an unknown. But what is known, or at least understood by most, is the region, conference, or team you support; you are likely to be more optimistic when looking at how things turned out. While McElroy and Finebaum might look at things as the glass is half empty, when discussing Warren’s time as Big Ten commissioner, Big Ten fans could very well view it as the glass is half full.