No, it’s not Howard Stern but the other controversial radio host. That’s right, Rush Limbaugh.
USA Today is reporting that Limbaugh, who is a well-known fan of the NFL, would be interested in buying the Rams if they are for sale. Of course, he wouldn’t single handedly purchase the team. Shock jocks don’t make billions of dollars. Limbaugh would assemble a group of interested buyers with big wallets
“The Rams would be a great team to have,” Limbaugh said in an interview with the St. Louis Business Journal. “I have a lot of friends in ownership in the NFL, and my desire to get involved has not been a secret.”
Since the death of Georgia Frontiere earlier this year, rumors have been running rampant over the potential sale of Rams. However, her son Chip Rosenbloom said that there is no intent to sell the team, but he would be intrigued if the right offer came along.
“It’s the same as it’s been,” Rosenbloom said earlier this month. “If the right person at the time right time with the right price came, I suppose that you might sell your house, right? So, I don’t say never. … If we get a phone call today from somebody who says the right things, we would listen.”
If the team is eventually for sale, why would Rosenbloom feel comfortable selling it to Rush Limbaugh? Sure, he could be the highest bidder, but does anybody remember what happened the last time this NFL enthusiast was associated with the league?
In 2003, ESPN hired Limbaugh to be an analyst on Sunday NFL Countdown. They called him the “voice of the fan.” Fair enough. It worked for the first two weeks actually, but as usual, controversy and Limbaugh go hand-in-hand. During his third week on the show, he had some interesting words about Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb.
“Sorry to say this, I don’t think he’s been that good from the get-go. I think what we’ve had here is a little social concern in the NFL,” Limbaugh said on September 28, 2003. “The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn’t deserve. The defense carried this team.”
In less than a week, Limbaugh resigned and put out a statement regarding his comments.
“My comments this past Sunday were directed at the media and were not racially motivated,” he said in a statement days following the incident. “I offered an opinion. This opinion has caused discomfort to the crew, which I regret. I love Sunday NFL Countdown and do not want to be a distraction to the great work done by all who work on it. Therefore, I have decided to resign. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of the show and wish all the best to those who make it happen.”
In February 2007, Limbaugh also made a controversial statement flowing Super Bowl XLI in regards to the media’s hoopla over Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman.
“The media, the sports media, has got social concerns that they are first and foremost interested in, and they’re dumping on this guy - Rex Grossman - for one reason, folks, and that’s because he is a white quarterback,” Limbaugh said on his radio show.
Hmm. I always thought Peyton Manning was the face of the NFL. Last time I checked, he was whiter than white. Nearly 70% of the NFL is African-American. I don’t see them being too happy about the possibility of playing for Limbaugh’s team, let alone the fact that he would be a part of the NFL’s hierarchy.
I don’t know if another “Rush Limbaugh & the NFL” experiment will work again. Yes, as an owner, you are simply a face and don’t give opinions too much. But, with Limbaugh, you never know what you’re going to get. Does the NFL want to deal with a potential headache that we know he can be?
