A cable pulling assembly includes a pulling sleeve, which includes a bore, and a base assembly. The base assembly is selectively engaged with the bore of the pulling sleeve. The base assembly includes a first base member and a second base member. The first and second base members cooperatively define a cable channel. The cable channel includes a plurality of gripping protrusions. A method of assembling a cable pulling assembly includes inserting a portion of a cable into a first channel of a first base member of a base assembly. The first channel in friction fit engagement with the cable. A second base member of the base assembly is engaged to the first base member. The second base member defines a second channel. A connectorized end of the cable is inserted into a bore of a pulling sleeve. The base assembly is engaged to the pulling sleeve.