Group Drops Limbaugh as Investor
UPDATED (9:06 p.m.)...
A potential ownership group that is attempting to purchase the St. Louis Rams has dropped radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh as an investor.
The group includes Dave Checketts, the chairman of hockey's St. Louis Blues, and announced the decision to drop Limbaugh on Wednesday.
"Rush was to be a limited partner--as such, he would have had no say in the direction of the club or in any decisions regarding personnel or operations," Checketts said in a written statement. "This was a role he enthusiastically embraced.
"However, it has become clear that his involvement in our group has become a complication and a distraction to our intentions; endangering our bid to keep the team in St. Louis. As such, we have decided to move forward without him and hope it will eventually lead us to a successful conclusion."
Limbaugh was not available to comment after the announcement was made. He said earlier Wednesday on his radio show that he did not intend to withdraw his bid, according to media accounts of his on-air comments.
According to an account by ESPN, Limbaugh said on air Wednesday: "This is not about the NFL. It's not about the St. Louis Rams. It's not about me. This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative.
"Therefore, this is about the future of the United States of America and what kind of country we're going to have."
ESPN reported later Wednesday that a spokesperson for Limbaugh indicated that Limbaugh had no immediate comment about the announcement by Checketts.
The developments came one day after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell expressed wariness about Limbaugh's bid.
Goodell said Tuesday at an NFL owners' meeting in Boston that he would find it inappropriate for an owner of a franchise to make the sort of controversial remarks attributed to Limbaugh in the past.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay also said Tuesday that he would not vote to approve Limbaugh as an owner.
Any sale of an NFL team must be approved by at least three-quarters of the owners league-wide.
Limbaugh previously had acknowledged being involved in the bid with Checketts.
Owners said Tuesday it's still not certain that the Rams will be sold and there are multiple investment groups involved in the bidding process.
The written statement by Checketts was released by SCP Worldwide, a New York-based sports, entertainment and media company of which Checketts is the chairman. The statement said in full:
"We have not made any secret of the fact that we are investors with significant holdings in St. Louis, including the St. Louis Blues. As such, we have been exploring potential opportunities to purchase the St. Louis Rams.
"Currently, we are involved in a process regarding the Rams being conducted by Goldman Sachs and are subject to confidentiality agreements with them--and therefore have not made any further comments regarding our bid.
"In light of statements and news reports regarding our bid recently, we have received permission to clarify our intentions.
"We represent a group of investors who seek to keep the team in St. Louis and have invited many Missourians to join us in this effort. Not surprisingly, we have had tremendous support from many strong and influential leaders who seek to help us in our efforts.
"Rush Limbaugh, who was born 100 miles south of St. Louis, was part of our group. This made sense to us, particularly in light of his affection for the NFL in general and his interest in keeping the Rams in St. Louis.
"Rush was to be a limited partner--as such, he would have had no say in the direction of the club or in any decisions regarding personnel or operations. This was a role he enthusiastically embraced.
"However, it has become clear that his involvement in our group has become a complication and a distraction to our intentions; endangering our bid to keep the team in St. Louis. As such, we have decided to move forward without him and hope it will eventually lead us to a successful conclusion.
"We will have no further comment out of respect to the process at hand."
The Rev. Al Sharpton reportedly had sent a letter to Goodell on Monday urging the NFL to reject Limbaugh's ownership bid. Jesse Jackson also expressed public opposition to Limbaugh's bid.
Several NFL players had said they would not play for a team owned by Limbaugh.
DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFL Players Association, reportedly had expressed his personal reservations about Limbaugh's bid in a memo to players on the union's ruling executive committee, and urged players to express their views about the matter publicly. The union has no formal role in approval of an ownership bid.
On Tuesday, Goodell said: "I've said many times before we're all held to a high standard here, and I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about. I would not want to see those comments coming from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL, absolutely not."
Goodell and several owners said Tuesday that the Rams' sale process was in its early stages and the league was far from considering a potential bid by Limbaugh and Checketts.
"I would not be in favor of voting for him," Irsay said Tuesday. "I could ask Tony Dungy, Jim Caldwell, Dwight Freeney and consult with them, but there have been comments that have been made that have been inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive. It's bigger than football. We have to watch the words that we say.... Sometimes privileges in life do get lost. I would not feel comfortable.
"I've met Rush only once and he seemed like a nice guy. But when you see the comments that are out there, I would not be comfortable. I myself couldn't be in favor of voting for him.... We've got to watch our words in this world and our thoughts because they can do damage."
In 2003, Limbaugh resigned from ESPN after making controversial comments about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Limbaugh said on the network's studio show that "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."
Goodell said Tuesday: "I understand the issue with players. The comments that Rush made, specifically about Donovan, I disagree with very strongly. Those are polarizing comments that we don't think reflect accurately on the NFL or our players. I obviously do not believe those comments are positive. They're divisive, and that's a negative thing for us. But I disagree with those comments very strongly and I told the players that."
By
Mark Maske
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October 14, 2009; 5:35 PM ET
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Posted by: rbpalmer | October 15, 2009 1:02 PM
That Rush Limbaugh is *such* a racist. Why, even wanted to pour millions of his own dollars into paying the salaries of black athletes. How dare he!
I expect the comments pages at the WashPost to be 97% lefty loons, and I'm never disappointed. ;)
Posted by: acoberst1 | October 15, 2009 1:00 PM
Like several of Rush's other notable crash-and-burns, the real fun starts today, after Rush was dumped.
We recall with relish the fact that shortly after his self-immolation as an ESPN commentator, he admitted the runaway pain pill addiction and checked himself into rehab, chased by several assistant DA's and the pulp tabloids. Somewhere in there his third marriage finally dissolved in a truly strange set of facts (somebody please get a straight publishable story from Marta).
This time, who knows... supersized man, supersized failures. The man has too many verbal skeletons in his closet to bear close scrutiny. Remember that he rants at the top of lungs for three hours every day.
And, forget the racist angle (OF COURSE RUSH IS A RACIST - that's not even close), if a complete collection of his most ignorant quotes are assembled, we will see that he has consistently posed as a misogynist (the whole feminatzi collection), a xenophobe with a fine sense of hyper-jingoism, an idiotic historical revisionist, a rank sentimentarian, and a dedicated apologist for the most repulsive excesses of capitalism. Finally, the abject hatred he consistently expresses for any non-republican office holders is enough to disqualify his participation in any legitimate public activity involving a normal cross section of Americans.
By all means, let's take a close look at the man. Keep an eye on him as he spins way out of control this time.
Posted by: roboturkey | October 15, 2009 10:49 AM
To quote Rush: "This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the Democrat party, or wherever, to destroy conservatism, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative."
Funny, I thought he was against set asides for minorities.
Posted by: mitlen | October 15, 2009 10:43 AM
Unfourtunately all Limbaugh wanted out of this was exactly what he got. Attention. He knew the controversy that would arise when he wanted to be a part of that ownership group. Now he's painting himself as a victim of the socialist/communist government and media. The morons who believe everything he says will eat it up and he'll continue to make millions. Limbaugh is one of the greatest con-artists this country has ever seen and is the true definition of a Capitalist, Conservative, and Corporate Pig.
Posted by: moseley_brian | October 15, 2009 9:52 AM
ChickaBOOMer: The Bum's Rush
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2009/10/bums-rush.html
Posted by: StewartIII | October 15, 2009 9:07 AM
Limbaugh said, "In Obama's America the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering."
Limbaugh said, “How do you get promoted in a Barack Obama administration, by hating white people.”
70% of NFL players are black. Of course the other NFL owners are going to turn Limbaugh down. Why would they welcome this race baiter into their fold? This has nothing to do with the liberal media and everything to do with Limbaugh's big mouth.
Posted by: paul6554 | October 15, 2009 8:42 AM
This decision is ridiculous but it shows the arrogance of the NFL.
Posted by: hz9604 | October 15, 2009 7:51 AM
'about the future of the US...?' This guy sure is full of himself. (fullosumpin :) )
LOL
Posted by: leaningtoleft | October 15, 2009 5:30 AM
Ha! Leave it to Rush to claim that this is a liberal left political plot. How stupid. Using anything that doesn't conform to HIS views to show that the liberal left is trying to take everything over. How paranoid is that?
Posted by: cmecyclist | October 15, 2009 5:04 AM
Boy Rush had big plans for NFL Football,a new concept,All new,All White Team,All Native Born Players,with legally iron clad Birth Certificates.
The Cheerleaders were going to wear tight fitting White Klan Outfits.
The new Scoreboard,with a 150 Foot high Cross,would light up in fire when they scored a touch down
A brand new Brian A. Scates Memorial Stadium for St Louis,no doubt paid for with some "Socialist" Special Tax Breaks,after all,not too many NFL Owners like to use their own money to build anything.
Inside the new stadium,on the main concourse,features not found at any other NFL Stadium; A Gun and Ammo Shop,an "All Things Elephant Store",a Viarga Outlet Store,and the Hill Billy Heroin Store.
The Ushers would wear snappy Black S.S. Type Uniforms.
At half time,Minstral Shows.
And for your drinking and dining pleasure,the Klaven on the Green.
But no,our favorite Grand Wizard is out of the running.
Posted by: jeromejmarkiewicz | October 15, 2009 4:19 AM
Maybe, Rush, you can't be mainstreamed because you're not mainstream. You may get a lot of attention, but you're despised by and large by moderates as well as liberals, and let's face it: this really is a center-left country, no matter what kinds of theatrics your sort inflict on us in trying to persuade us that it's otherwise. Ultimately, all that frothing and dissembling about how Obama the stealth Muslim is killing capitalism is ultimately considered bad for business.
Posted by: calcyon | October 15, 2009 12:58 AM
He may not be racist(althoug I highly doubt it). He certainly is a race baitor. What company today would want to be associated with an overly opinionated narcissist? Especially one with a daily talk show to reflect his loved and hated antics/views. Anyone arguing that this was unfair is an idiot. Not like Micheal Moore would be embraced as an owner in the NFL. Its just not good business. Some people just can't let go of the past and love to support backward ways of thought. I'm willing to bet many of the Rush supporters also love confederate flags and can't resist air-guitaring along to "free bird". It really makes me laugh to think of all the mindless conservatives who take the words of Rush and Glen Beck as truths, rather than taking the time to research what's really at hand.
Posted by: dtownzman | October 15, 2009 12:37 AM
I find it amusing all the comments about Limbaugh being a "druggie" when many NFL players have abused drugs themselves.
I find it disconcerting that many have attacked Limbaugh comments that he allegedly made yet no one can find any proof he made them. The only one is about McNabb. The others are made up quotes as no one can find a single one.
The problem is some of you probably never listened to him and are just making assumptions based on what you've been told, not what you've heard directly from Rush.
Posted by: taocpa | October 14, 2009 11:55 PM
"Imagine"...no liberals!
Posted by: cschotta1 | October 14, 2009 11:54 PM
So it was the liberals that queered your deal? Sorry Rush. That dog ain't gonna hunt. There isn't a liberal owner in the whole of the NFL. And they're the only ones that matter. Maybe, just maybe, it was your big fat mouth that did you in.
Posted by: paul6554 | October 14, 2009 11:34 PM
The recent photo submitted by Rush Limbaugh for publication is obviously undated for a reason. Limbaugh is currently AT LEAST a HUNDRED pounds HEAVIER right now than he was on that photo. I saw him on TV last night, affirming his "color-blind", lack of racism/prejudice in his rants, and he looks like a walking heart attack! I hope he carries an aspirin in his pocket. Radio can hide it! Television cannot!
Posted by: Maerzie | October 14, 2009 11:28 PM
"THE EGO HAS LANDED !!!! "
Posted by: Anadromous2 | October 14, 2009 11:25 PM
Waterfront Property... what are you even talking about???
The NFL is a corporate entity and, as such, represents the interests of its shareholders (or in the case of the NFL, its ownership groups) just like any other private sector, whether it be oil, automobile manufacturing or consumer products.
The corporate mentality is a conservative one by nature. All corporations protect their self-image and the NFL is no different. Why should it alienate sponsors, the media and fans by bringing aboard an ownership partner who revels in controversy. Do you seriously think the NFL wouldn't think twice about accepting a ownership group w/ an outspoken liberal in its midst?
Like Rush himself, you're extrapolating the NFL's desire to protect its brand w/ an ad hominem attack on conservatism. Give it a rest!!!
Posted by: rootbeerpie | October 14, 2009 10:59 PM
WHat about this guy Checketts? What does it say about him selecting Rush to be a partner in the acquisition. Nice judgement. Maybe he habors the same tendencies. Hope these people have some competition buying the Rams. Goodell has shown some leadership here. Good for him...and the NFL. Now Rush can go back to being a one-pony jockey...and blaming the media!! LOL.
Posted by: mendonsa | October 14, 2009 10:39 PM
I guess the campaign of lies about what Rush had allegedly said worked. Now I hope he sues the sh%t out of those who slandered him.
If it wasn't for double standards, libs would have no standards at all.
Posted by: waterfrontproperty | October 14, 2009 10:19 PM
How about someone coming up with a new song titled "Rush the Magic FatAss Druggie"? That way we could circulate it. Naw, we already won. Rush lost. So Sad.
Posted by: _Cowabunga_ | October 14, 2009 10:14 PM
The NFL would need to declare and then screen all unnamed partners in a sale.
I applaud Checketts for finally doing the right thing. It takes real courage to change. But it is still not enough change.
I hope Checketts gets the bigger picuture of America. This matter really makes conservatism a bad word and at this time it proves that it is a bad word.
It is not in the Hockey rinks that he sees. Has anyone seen the ratings for Hockey lately? Has anyone seen a hockey game lately?
Hockey is now - the who cares league - of the major sports in america. BASEBALL - Football - Basketball with the MLS excluded. Go Caps. Home teams all the time!!
Posted by: zariah | October 14, 2009 10:01 PM
Ouch Rush! Jeez, do ya think they make a container of Preperation-H large enough for that guy? He'll be doing his broadcasts standing up for a long time!
Posted by: free-donny | October 14, 2009 9:04 PM
Well, I see that the left got their wish and Rush is out! The NFL is a bunch of over-paid, whiney kids that are too much into booze, sex and criminal activity. Anyone for a dog fight? How about "he raped me". The NFL Mantra: If the team (any team) doesn't win the superbowl - or even get in it - fire the coach. Boy, that will show 'em! I like football, but give me a break. How about having the players be grownups?
Posted by: PalmSpringsGirl | October 14, 2009 8:55 PM
Isn't it ironic that the slaveholder NFL owners who use the blacks in the NFL as their slaves would not want Rush?
NFL is a bunch of hypocrite, politically correct industry. It holds slaves, and the blacks who play are nothing but pawns for the wealthy white owners. How many blacks own an NFL team???? hmmmm.....???
this is evidence of 1984 coming home to roost. zeig heil obama the king!!!!
and the washpost is nothing but pravda for the obamacons; media puppets for the left.
Posted by: jim000122 | October 14, 2009 8:47 PM
Good riddance...damn racist Limbaugh. It's good to see that bigots aren't allowed.
And if any of you want to call me out...Google Limbaugh and Donovan McNabb and Limbaugh and racist.
You will see...not my words...Limbaugh's big mouth did it to himself. If he would of kept his mouth shut...he might of had a chance...but of course...he couldn't
Posted by: TampaBayareaRedskinsfan | October 14, 2009 8:45 PM
It's a sad day for the NFL when a loud, obnoxious, fat guy's money isn't welcomed. LOL. I'm glad that racist was rejected. I'm surprised Rush wants anything to do with the NFL, with so many people of color, you'd think he would've tried for a stake in the Blues organization, first. Oh well, he'd be barred from being shown on TV, too, if people in the news didn't feel a need to point out how absurd he is. An *actual* entertainer, Michael Jackson, died from pain killers not too long ago - why couldn't it have been Rush Limbaugh, instead? The world would be a better place.
Posted by: fbutler1 | October 14, 2009 8:42 PM
I'm very disappointed to hear this news. I'm not much of a NFL fan and I was so looking forward to having a team that I could root against.
Posted by: CynthiaD1 | October 14, 2009 8:29 PM
Go ahead and argue whatever you want about SCUM limbaugh but the reality is that the NFL would never allow some THING like SCUM limbaugh into their club because it would bring attention to the National Football League in a way that the League doesn't want.
Bottom line: the National Football League does NOT like ANY attention focused on the National Football League that is NOT on the football field.....AND THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR THAT.
What DOES the NFL want then? It want's persons to pay attention to the entertainment it sells them: it's called "football".
What does the NFL NOT want? SIMPLE: it does NOT want ANY attention paid to ANYTHING about the National Football League *OUTSIDE OF THE FOOTBALL FIELD*..... PARTICULARLY THE MECHANISMS OF HOW THE NFL PRACTICES BUSINESS.
Why so? SIMPLE: because the way the NFL operates it's business would be declared illegal - *BY ANY AND ALL MEASURES OF FEDERAL LAWS* - because the National Football League operates as an unconditionally restrictive cartel.
Don't understand? Google "cartel" and then google "sherman anti-trust".
Posted by: Archie_Leach | October 14, 2009 7:30 PM
isupreme. Are you really that stupid to bring race into this?
Your comment was small, rude and wrong.
Rush is no racist. The rabid lefts opinion should have nothing to do with this sale. The conservative rights opinion should have nothing to do with this sale.
What a utterly stupid comment your race baiting blather was.
Posted by: markandbeth92 | October 14, 2009 7:24 PM
If Rush's money was needed to complete the deal last week, it is needed this week. Willing to bet there will be some "unnamed" silent partner who's money is used to complete the sale. As much as Rush shows a dislike of Black men, he'd surely have no problem making $$$ off of them.
Posted by: isupreme | October 14, 2009 7:16 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
This decision is ridiculous but it shows the arrogance of the NFL.
Posted by: hz9604 | October 15, 2009 7:51 AM
Well now, lets see . . . Limbaugh makes his living largely by slamming the media, on whom the NFL depends to broadcast and popularize its product, and by race-baiting. Although millions apparently love him (God help us), millions also hate him, and would not support the Rams, or maybe even the NFL, if he was a part owner. He has stated that the NFL has started to look like the 'Bloods vs. the Crips. Yea, he's just the kind of guy that the NFL should want in ownership, in a league in which a majority of the players are african-american.
The bottom line is, his whole career is making controversial public statements, which is the last thing that the league wants, or needs, in an owner.