MR. APOLITICAL?

ESPN Star Exposed as Headliner for Fundraiser Benefiting MAGA Candidate

The event comes weeks after the star analyst insisted that he does not get involved in politics.

An ESPN star has been busted headlining a fundraiser for a political action committee that has donated to one of MAGA’s most loyal stalwarts.

Kirk Herbstreit, a top football analyst and co-host of College GameDay, was the featured speaker at a dinner hosted by the Business Council of Alabama last week—billed as an event supporting ProgressPAC, whose political arm reportedly gave MAGA Sen. Tommy Tuberville $155,000 after the event.

Herbstreit’s appearance, first reported by FOIAball, was touted in a flyer indicating that “contributions for The Business Dinner are used to support BCA’s political action committee, ProgressPAC.” BCA’s website similarly makes clear that “this signature event supports ProgressPAC’s mission of building a strong, pro-business climate in Alabama.”

Seats and sponsorships ranged from $5,000 to $50,000, with the highest tier offering an “exclusive roundtable with [the] featured speaker.”

“What a night! Thank you to everyone who made The Business Dinner possible, and a special thank you to our featured speaker, Kirk Herbstreit, and featured [golden] retriever, Peter!” BCA wrote in a Facebook post after the event.

ESPN and a representative for Herbstreit did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It’s an eyebrow-raising move for Herbstreit, who just weeks ago insisted he does not get involved in politics after College GameDay sparked outrage—and drew loud boos—for hosting Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz for a lengthy interview in the middle of its live show.

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“I don’t really get into politics,” Herbstreit told reporters then. “I’m kind of an independent guy right down the middle of the fairway. I’m for America, so whoever helps us as a country, I’m for, whether it’s somebody on the left, somebody on the right.”

“I don’t really follow it,” he added. “I don’t know anything about his political views. I don’t know what he’s for or against. I care about football and my family and my faith and my country. Those are things that I love. And so I don’t really pick sides.”

BCA describes itself as a “non-partisan, statewide business association representing the interests and concerns of nearly 1 million working Alabamians” with the goal of improving the state’s business environment.

ProgressPAC, its political arm, states that its mission is “to support pro-business leaders who will advance policies that drive economic growth and create long-term opportunities for Alabama’s workforce and communities.”

The PAC has endorsed candidates across the aisle, from Tuberville to State Rep. Anthony Daniels, a Democrat serving as minority leader of the Alabama House of Representatives.

“We endorse those who demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering a competitive business climate, supporting policies that encourage investment and job creation, and serving as effective advocates for Alabama’s continued economic growth,” it says on its website.

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Julia OrnedoReporter

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