Limbaugh interested in ownership deal involving St. Louis RAMS (He got FUCKED!)

[Absolutely]

There's news that Rush Limbaugh is interested in partnering with St.Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts in an attempt to buy the Rams.

Rush Limbaugh says he's trying to purchase Rams
October 6, 2009 | 9:28 am

Rush It appears conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh wants to be an NFL team owner.

In a statement released today, Limbaugh said he's partnering with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts in a bid to buy the St. Louis Rams. Limbaugh didn't go into details, but said he and Checketts "have made a bid to buy the Rams and are continuing the process."

It's unclear whether Limbaugh and Checketts will buy the team outright or purchase a majority or minority stake in the franchise. Georgia Frontiere's children own a 60% stake in the team, and billionaire Stan Kroenke owns a 40% stake.

Hopefully, Limbaugh's latest foray into the world of pro football will go more smoothly than when he worked briefly as an NFL commentator for ESPN in 2003. Limbaugh resigned after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback do well in the NFL.

Last year, Forbes listed the Rams, which moved from Los Angeles in 1994, as worth $929 million (23rd highest in the NFL).

The Rams went 2-14 in 2008 and have lost their last 14 games.

[Sinn Fein]

This could be kinda cool. Was going to make a thread about this but did a search and decided to just move the above post to its own thread.

[CousinDave]

I've never heard of any big investments that Rush has done, like Arnold Schwaneger has upscale shopping centers here in Ohio, so I wouldn't be surprised if Rush has about half a billion in liquid assets, so a partial interest in a NFL team that would come up for sale would be within his grasp.

I remember when he was on ESPN and got fired for saying something that was 100% true , so this could be a good way for him to get back at those in the media who pressured ESPN to can him.

[Sinn Fein]

Yup. He said Donovan McNabb is overrated (by the media) as a quarterback because he's black.

He wasn't wrong.

[Absolutely]

I've never heard of any big investments that Rush has done, like Arnold Schwaneger has upscale shopping centers here in Ohio, so I wouldn't be surprised if Rush has about half a billion in liquid assets, so a partial interest in a NFL team that would come up for sale would be within his grasp.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if he had NFL money. But I looked around and saw that from radio alone his contracts are: 2000-2009 $285 million, and 2010-2016 $400,000 million.

So if he and Checketts split the 60% ownership of a team worth $929B, he'd need like $280M not counting any other smaller partners in their "group"

I'd have no problem with him owning a part of the team, though on a lot of STL boards I see a lot of "If Rush owns this team, kiss my season tix goodbye" bullshit.

As long as he keeps the team in St.Louis I wouldn't care. The NFL said they want the team to stay in STL, and with Stan Kroenke and Checketts owning a major portion that'd be a great sign.

[CousinDave]

Yup. He said Donovan McNabb is overrated (by the media) as a quarterback because he's black.

He wasn't wrong.


Yep, he wasn't saying anything bad about McNabb he was criticizing the media for making McNabb into something he wasn't.

[CousinDave]

Yeah, I wasn't sure if he had NFL money. But I looked around and saw that from radio alone his contracts are: 2000-2009 $285 million, and 2010-2016 $400,000 million.

So if he and Checketts split the 60% ownership of a team worth $929B, he'd need like $280M not counting any other smaller partners in their "group"

I'd have no problem with him owning a part of the team, though on a lot of STL boards I see a lot of "If Rush owns this team, kiss my season tix goodbye" bullshit.

As long as he keeps the team in St.Louis I wouldn't care. The NFL said they want the team to stay in STL, and with Stan Kroenke and Checketts owning a major portion that'd be a great sign.


The Barry Presidency sure resulted in a huge increase in pay for Rush and it looks like his syndication company is betting on Barry being reelected.

I think with the way the NFL is today, it would take a decade to move a team. Besides, its not like Palm Beach would want a NFL team anyway and I seriously doubt Rush would want the team in LA (again.) After LA Columbus is the largest US city without a NFL team.

I bet those claiming they'll cancel their season tickets, aren't really season ticket holders.

[Hoagie]

He's only doing this so he can raid the drug cabinet in the trainers room.

[CousinDave]

He's only doing this so he can raid the drug cabinet in the trainers room.


Gotta do what ya gotta do!

[VersionX]

Not so fast, gentlemen.

NFL Players executive director DeMaurice Smith on Saturday made a move to solidify the union against a bid by conservative talk show radio host Rush Limbaugh as part of a group that aims to purchase the St. Louis Rams.

In an e-mail to the union's executive committee on Saturday specifically addressing Limbaugh's bid, Smith said, "I've spoken to the Commissioner [Roger Goodell] and I understand that this ownership consideration is in the early stages. But sport in America is at its best when it unifies, gives all of us reason to cheer, and when it transcends. Our sport does exactly that when it overcomes division and rejects discrimination and hatred."

Limbaugh and St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts are among six potential ownership groups that have discussed buying the Rams. League sources say the current sale price has ranged from $700-to-$750 million but that there did not appear to be an imminent transaction.

On Sunday, Smith briefly elaborated, "This communication is more about what we stand for than the reality of our role in any franchise sale. While it's true the subject matter was related [to Limbaugh's bid], I do understand that the NFL does not present ownership bids to me or the NFLPA. I encourage our players to express their views."

At least seven NFL players have publicly opposed Limbaugh's interest in purchasing the Rams with Checketts. In Smith's communication Saturday with his executive committee, the union leader encouraged players to speak their mind on all matters, including Limbaugh's bid.

"I have asked our players to embrace their roles not only in the game of football but also as players and partners in the business of the NFL," said Smith in the e-mail. "They risk everything to play this game, they understand that risk and they live with that risk and its consequences for the rest of their life. We also know that there is an ugly part of history and we will not risk going backwards, giving up, giving in or lying down to it.

"Our men are strong and proud sons, fathers, spouses and I am proud when they stand up, understand this is their profession and speak with candor and blunt honesty about how they feel."

Limbaugh has expressed a number of controversial racial ideas in the past. For example, he suggested that Gen. Colin Powell supported Barack Obama's presidential candidacy simply because he was black, and he also stated that the media wants black quarterbacks to do well and that Donovan McNabb doesn't deserve much of the credit he has received for the Eagles' success.

Among the half-dozen interested buyers of the Rams, there are strong African-American ownership groups interested in buying the Rams, including businessmen Donald Watkins and Dave Steward.

The league has maintained it does not publicly address potential franchise sales. All transactions, when formally presented after a thorough background check, are decided by the 32 owners by vote.

The players don't seem to want to play for a Rush-spearheaded team. With the NFL being overwhelmingly black, I wouldn't imagine this changing.

Too bad this wasn't happening in New England. If Kraft sold to Rush it'd be a Bostonian's dream

[Fr. Dougal]

Those players are full of fucking shit. Show them a multi-million dollar contract and they'll go on the air calling Obama the N-word. They couldn't give a flying fuck about their heritage. Only their bank accounffs.

[oandapartycock]

Couple more players saying they won't play. And Olbermann's coming to Limbaugh's defense?

Calling the suitor of the St. Louis Rams a "jerk," Jets LB Bart Scott said he would never play for the team if Rush Limbaugh is successful in his bid to buy the NFL franchise.

Scott and Giants DE Mathias Kiwanuka, in comments to (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/2009/10/09/2009-10-09_black_nfl_players_crush_prospect_of_playing_for _a_rush_limbaughowned_st_louis_ra.html) the New York Daily News, said Limbaugh's racial insensitivity and his controversial comments about black people are gamebreakers that would keep them away from the Rams.

Their criticisms add to a long list of people who say they don't want Limbaugh in the NFL (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/10/negative-reaction-begins-to-flow-against-rush-limbaughs-potential-as-rams-owner/1). Liberal MSNBC host Keith Olbermann has been one of the lone voices defending Limbaugh (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/10/keith-olbermann-critics-wrong-to-rule-out-rush-limbaugh-as-potential-owner-of-rams/1).

From Scott:"I know I wouldn't want to play for him. He's a jerk. He's an ---. What he said (about Donovan McNabb) was inappropriate and insensitive, totally off-base. He could offer me whatever he wanted, I wouldn't play for him. ... I wouldn't play for Rush Limbaugh. My principles are greater and I can't be bought."


Limbaugh resigned as an ESPN NFL analyst in 2003 after suggesting the media wanted Donovan McNabb to succeed because he was black.
Kiwanuka's former coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, coaches the Rams. The Giants defender said even though he admires Spagnuolo, he would rule out playing for him if Limbaugh buys the team.

His comments to the Daily News:"All I know is from the last comment I heard, he said in (President) Obama's America, white kids are getting beat up on the bus while black kids are chanting 'right on. I mean, I don't want anything to do with a team that he has any part of. He can do whatever he wants, it is a free country. But if it goes through, I can tell you where I am not going to play."

"I am not going to draw a conclusion from a person off of one comment, but when it is time after time after time and there's a consistent pattern of disrespect and just a complete misunderstanding of an entire culture that I am a part of, I can't respect him as a man."
-- Sean Leahy
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/10/bart-scott-mathias-kiwanuka-no-possibility-of-playing-for-rush-limbaugh-owned-team/1

[LBF]

And now Reverend Al is throwing in his two cents...

NEW YORK – The Rev. Al Sharpton wants the National Football League to block conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh from bidding on the St. Louis Rams.

Sharpton sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday. He said Limbaugh has been divisive and "anti-NFL" in some of his comments.

Limbaugh did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

Limbaugh said last week that he is teaming up with St. Louis Blues hockey team owner Dave Checketts in a bid to buy the Rams. He has declined to discuss details of the offer, citing a confidentiality agreement.

In 2003, Limbaugh worked briefly on ESPN's NFL pregame show. He resigned after saying Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was overrated because the media wanted to see a black quarterback succeed.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091012/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_rams_ownership_sharpton_2

[Stormrider666]

Here is my take on the Limbaugh interested in owning the Rams:

The guy made his money, so he has every right to look into buying and possibly owning a team. As long as Limbaugh just writes the checks and sits back and collects his money, I don't see nothing wrong with the guy owning the Rams.

At the same time, the NFL players who are speaking out have every right to and quite frankly, I don't blame them. I'm not a fan of Limbaugh either, so I know how they feel. That being said, I'll believe it when I see it, when a guy says he won't play for a team because of the owner. Opinions tend to change as soon as wallets start to open up.

The verbal attacks on Limbaugh shouldn't been seen as an attack on all conservatives. I'm pretty sure that half the owners in the league are conservatives.

Finally, I can see the NFL blocking the Limbaugh group from buying the Rams and they have every right to as well. It wouldn't be the first time a group of owners have blocked someone from buying a team. MLB blocked Mark Cuban from buying the Cubs and the NHL is blocking some dude from buying the Phoenix Coyotes. I'm not saying that shit's right either. But team owners have been real selective about who they let into their club.

One more thing: Al Sharpton stay out of this!!!

[Wilmington WOW]

Man it takes a whole bunch of hayseeds listening to your radio show to afford an NFL team.


Good for him, that is some serious cash.
It would be interesting.

[Myhairygrundle]

So the NFL has no problem with the Michael Vick, Tank Johnson, Dallas Cowboys roster, and rest of the criminals playing....

But Rush wants ownership interest in one of the worst teams, and they throw a fit?

Fucking babies.

[Sinn Fein]

So the NFL has no problem with the Michael Vick, Tank Johnson, Dallas Cowboys roster, and rest of the criminals playing....

But Rush wants ownership interest in one of the worst teams, and they throw a fit?

Fucking babies.

Exactly. Maybe if Rush goes out and kills someone that will make them more receptive.

[Ball of Hate]

Rush knows his football, has the cash, and would love to be an owner of a team.

That being said, something about this whole thing screams, "publicity stunt".

[Sinn Fein]

It's getting pretty serious. CNN and MSNBC are running with an unverified quote that Limbaugh denies in regards to slavery and whatnot. He's threatening legal action. This could really get interesting.

Again, with all of the horrible shit that people have done who are part of the NFL - this is complete bullshit.

[weeniewawa]

I bet they want Opah and Bill Cosby to buy the team

it's always those two OH and mike Jordan too

these players will stand by the non reverend sharpton and anti christ jessie jackson all day and not bat an eye at what they say and do.

[thereturn]

It's getting pretty serious. CNN and MSNBC are running with an unverified quote that Limbaugh denies in regards to slavery and whatnot. He's threatening legal action. This could really get interesting.

Again, with all of the horrible shit that people have done who are part of the NFL - this is complete bullshit.

That is fucking hilarious, he is getting more mileage out of this than he could have imagined.

Whats even better is the source they are using for the supposed quotes, a book that used wikipedia as its source! They are gonna get burned for this and rush will have a slam dunk lilbel case.

Im not a rush fan but its amazing how much hate he garners and just for trying to throw money down the pit that is the St Louis rams.

[Stormrider666]

Roger Goodell speaks and people listen. Supposedly Checketts is going still buy the team, but Limbaugh will not be part of the ownership group.

[oandapartycock]

Bye bye Rush.

Group Cuts Ties With Limbaugh to Buy NFL Team

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

ST. LOUIS — Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been dropped from a group seeking to buy the St. Louis Rams.

Limbaugh was to be a limited partner in a bid led by St. Louis Blues chairman Dave Checketts, but Checketts said in a statement Wednesday that Limbaugh's participation had complicated the effort. The group will move forward without him.

Checketts said he will have no further comment on the bid process. Limbaugh did not immediately respond to an e-mail sent late Wednesday seeking comment on Checketts' decision.

Limbaugh said on his radio show earlier Wednesday that he had been inundated with e-mails from listeners who supported him in the bid.

"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me," Limbaugh said. "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."

Limbaugh's bid ran into opposition from within the image-conscious NFL on Tuesday when Colts owner Jim Irsay said he would vote against the radio personality. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the commentator's "divisive" comments would not be tolerated from any NFL insider.

The league tries to avoid getting snared in controversial issues outside sports, which has caused Limbaugh trouble in the past. In 2003, he was forced to resign from ESPN's Sunday football broadcast after saying of Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb: "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well."

The Rams had no comment, reissuing a statement from Oct. 5 in which owner Chip Rosenbloom said a review of the team's ownership was under way and the club will make an announcement when it's over.

Checketts, the chairman of SCP Worldwide, announced that Limbaugh had been dumped toward the end of a news release.

"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," Checketts said. "As such, we have decided to move forward without him and hope it will eventually lead us to a successful conclusion."

The move was hailed by the Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the most vocal critics of Limbaugh's bid.

"It is a moral victory for all Americans — especially the players that have been unfairly castigated by Rush Limbaugh," Sharpton said in a statement. "This decision will also uphold the unifying standards of major sports."

Sharpton added in a telephone interview that major sports leagues shouldn't welcome owners who are "divisive and incendiary."

Every major pro sports franchise has dealings with its community, he said. "It's unfair for taxpayers to be underwriting people who denigrate them," he said.

Checketts said Limbaugh would have not had any say in the direction of the franchise "or in any decisions regarding personnel or operations."

Before getting dropped, Limbaugh said he had no intention of backing out.

"I'm not even thinking of caving," he said. "I am not a caver. Pioneers take the arrows. We are pioneers. It's a sad thing that our country, over 200 years old now, needs pioneers all over again, but we do."

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,566500,00.html

[Cunt Smasher]

Except for me saying FUCK YOU to the fucking pussies that threw Rush under the bus and let fuckstick asshole motherfucking****** cunt Al Sharpton win again by not standing up to him, I'm pretty much speechless at this point. I wanna fuck somebody up. Literally.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20091015/D9BB767G0.html

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh has been dropped from a group seeking to buy the St. Louis Rams. Limbaugh was to be a limited partner in a bid led by St. Louis Blues chairman Dave Checketts, but Checketts said in a statement Wednesday that Limbaugh's participation had complicated the effort. The group will move forward without him.

Checketts said he will have no further comment on the bid process. Limbaugh did not immediately respond to an e-mail sent late Wednesday seeking comment on Checketts' decision.

Limbaugh said on his radio show earlier Wednesday that he had been inundated with e-mails from listeners who supported him in the bid.

"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me," Limbaugh said. "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."

Limbaugh's bid ran into opposition from within the image-conscious NFL on Tuesday when Colts owner Jim Irsay said he would vote against the radio personality. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the commentator's "divisive" comments would not be tolerated from any NFL insider.

The league tries to avoid getting snared in controversial issues outside sports, which has caused Limbaugh trouble in the past. In 2003, he was forced to resign from ESPN's Sunday night football broadcast after saying of Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb: "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well."

The Rams had no comment, reissuing a statement from Oct. 5 in which owner Chip Rosenbloom said a review of the team's ownership was under way and the club will make an announcement when it's over.

Checketts, the chairman of SCP Worldwide, announced that Limbaugh had been dumped toward the end of a news release.

"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," Checketts said. "As such, we have decided to move forward without him and hope it will eventually lead us to a successful conclusion."

The move was hailed by the Rev. Al Sharpton, one of the most vocal critics of Limbaugh's bid.

"It is a moral victory for all Americans - especially the players that have been unfairly castigated by Rush Limbaugh," Sharpton said in a statement. "This decision will also uphold the unifying standards of major sports."

Sharpton added in a telephone interview that major sports leagues shouldn't welcome owners who are "divisive and incendiary."

Every major pro sports franchise has dealings with its community, he said. "It's unfair for taxpayers to be underwriting people who denigrate them," he said.

Checketts said Limbaugh would have not had any say in the direction of the franchise "or in any decisions regarding personnel or operations."

Before getting dropped, Limbaugh said he had no intention of backing out.

"I'm not even thinking of caving," he said. "I am not a caver. Pioneers take the arrows. We are pioneers. It's a sad thing that our country, over 200 years old now, needs pioneers all over again, but we do."

Sharpton added in a telephone interview that major sports leagues shouldn't welcome owners who are "divisive and incendiary."
Fucking Al Sharpton isn't divisive and incendiary? Fuck me...

[mikeybot]

Yeah, that already got posted in the thread about Rush trying to buy the team.

[weeniewawa]

he is a stand up guy and I am sure pulled himself out as to help out the group

[Chino Kapone]

After all He's A modern-day warrior with a Mean mean stride,Todays Rush Limbaugh Mean mean pride

[MayrMeninoCrash]

Rush gets fucked......by nubile Dominican boys

Thanks for clearing that up.

[Larz]

Truth is the Brazilians outbid Rush... the Rams are changing cities yet again and moving to Rio.

[weakside]

"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me," Limbaugh said. "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."

Okay Rush, relax on that…

I could not care less if he was an owner or not, and frankly when the good Rev. railed against him I really wanted him to get the team. But his getting pushed out had little to do with being conservative (I’m guessing pretty much every owner in the NFL is as well) and more with the fact that he tried to be “shocking” when he was on ESPN and made what many feel was an asinine comment about black quarterbacks.

Yes, he has a right to say what he wants, but at the same time there are consequences for what you say, and the consequence for his comment got him excluded from a very desirable but yet exclusive club.

In any case, he should be glad he dodged a bullet. St. Louis is all about baseball and is just not ever going to support a professional football team.

[mikeybot]

Oh, it got moved, so now I look like an ass
(or more of one)

[DonTheTrucker]

Man it takes a whole bunch of hayseeds listening to your radio show to afford an NFL team.


You're a moron.


Exactly. Maybe if Rush goes out and kills someone that will make them more receptive.

Yeah, nothing like a guy who has killed someone slandering him, and Rush is made out to be the bad guy.

CNN is going to be coughing up some serious bank on this one, methinks.

Oddly enough Rick Sanchez's Wikipedia entry is locked, with all details of his DUI causing a death erased. Typical.

http://www.mofopolitics.com/2009/07/22/cnns-rick-sanchez-hit-and-run-dui-leaves-victim-jeffrey-smuzinick-paralyzed/


Congrats, liberals. You've given Al Sharpton even more power. Bravo.

[oandapartycock]

After all He's A modern-day warrior with a Mean mean stride,Todays Rush Limbaugh Mean mean pride
Duh duhn duh deownnn...

[Cunt Smasher]

[I]he tried to be “shocking” when he was on ESPN and made what many feel was an asinine comment about black quarterbacks.

Yes, he has a right to say what he wants, but at the same time there are consequences for what you say, and the consequence for his comment got him excluded from a very desirable but yet exclusive club.



That's not what happened. The black guys that were there on the show with him when he said it agreed with him at the time, and only later changed their minds after Al got to them. Again with the libs, they never respond to the accuracy of the statement or argument, they attack the messenger. I think he was right at the time. The media was giving McNabb some slack because of his race, the numbers just weren't there to justify the hype. What's wrong with talking about that? Rush gets a fucking life sentence for it? Bullshit. The fucking liberal attack machine wins again.

[Sinn Fein]

Rush was actually calling out the media back at the time of the whole McNabb situation... This hatchet job is the payback.

[Stormrider666]

he is a stand up guy and I am sure pulled himself out as to help out the group

Nah I think it was Checketts telling him to beat it stupid.

"This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me," Limbaugh said. "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."

Okay Rush, relax on that…

I could not care less if he was an owner or not, and frankly when the good Rev. railed against him I really wanted him to get the team. But his getting pushed out had little to do with being conservative (I’m guessing pretty much every owner in the NFL is as well) and more with the fact that he tried to be “shocking” when he was on ESPN and made what many feel was an asinine comment about black quarterbacks.

Yes, he has a right to say what he wants, but at the same time there are consequences for what you say, and the consequence for his comment got him excluded from a very desirable but yet exclusive club.

In any case, he should be glad he dodged a bullet. St. Louis is all about baseball and is just not ever going to support a professional football team.

What do you expect from the guy. He has a self inflated ego of himself and is trying to make this thing bigger than it actually is. Bottom line, an old boy network told an old boy we don't want you in our club.

I'll be the first person to slam Al Sharpton. But I don't think he had any impact on this. From what I have come to learn about Roger Goodell, is that he doesn't want anbody in his league that thinks he is bigger than the shield. Goodell didn't want the guy to have any part of the NFL because of Limbaugh's stature. I also think that Goodell wasn't too fond of that "bloods and crips line".

[caniseeyourtaint]

And yet all those Reds players had no problem cashing those checks that Marge Schott was signing. Its false outrage. What Rush said wasn't bad nor wrong. Its easy to say you won't play for a team when they are absolutely horrible.

[oandapartycock]

I'll be the first person to slam Al Sharpton. But I don't think he had any impact on this. From what I have come to learn about Roger Goodell, is that he doesn't want anbody in his league that thinks he is bigger than the shield. Goodell didn't want the guy to have any part of the NFL because of Limbaugh's stature.

I think that's it. Al Sharpton or black players threatening not to play for the Rams had nothing to do with it. The NFL is a true good old boys network and that's why guys like Jerry Jones can get away with the stuff he does. Rush, although a huge fan, comes from outside that network.

Rush can't have it both ways. You can't make a king's ransom with a career over controversial statements and be shocked when controversy comes back your way.

[DonTheTrucker]

I think that's it. Al Sharpton or black players threatening not to play for the Rams had nothing to do with it.

Nonsense. The NFL is oversensitive, but if no one had been "outraged" this would have been a non-issue. This is ALL on the hands of Sharpton and the liars and slanderers in the MSM.

By the way, there are reports that George Soros (http://www.newsday.com/blogs/sports/glauber-s-nfl-hot-reads-1.811959/were-rush-limbaugh-and-george-soros-part-of-rams-bid-1.1525131) would have been part of the Checketts group. No outrage at that, was there? And he's 100 times more vile and detestable than Rush ever will be.

[Larz]

He's at his most entertaining playing the victim. this whole episode is fucking hysterical, especially the rubes weeping over his persecution.

[Jimmy's Dignity]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH3damEyHvo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTNbpSNIkIY
Mr. Lumberg?
http://mockable.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/lumberg.jpg

All in all, he shouldn't have been denied based on saying that the media wants McNabb to succeed simply because he's black. Is he being persecuted? Meh, on some level. Do I give a shit? Meh. If Rev. Al starts putting up shit when Rush tries to buy into a mall or corporation or something like that, then I'll have a major issue.

Those titles on the youtube clips are from some loon...I didn't really hear Al gloating too much and certainly do NOT see any sort of an "Obamist" take over of the NFL. If there were laws passed demanding X% of minority owners, then maybe...

But more importantly, Kiwanukwa said that he doesn't want to play for the Rams....:D

[Sinn Fein]

Rush was asked to pull out and he refused, because he refuses to retreat from the likes of Rev. Al. Checketts was told to remove him publicly if he wanted him out.

[Jimmy's Dignity]

Don't most guys refuse when asked to pull out?

[oandapartycock]

Don't most guys refuse when asked to pull out?
Not if they're smart. ;)

[DonTheTrucker]

Don't most guys refuse when asked to pull out?

Not if they're smart. ;)

Nothing beats throwing a towel to a chick afterward and telling her to clean up your mess dripping from down there. Just not the same on the face or tits.

[LBF]

.... he tried to be “shocking” when he was on ESPN and made a very valid point that many people agreed with then and continue to agree with.

Fixed that for ya. :action-sm


As for his "persecution"....he's going to play it up for all it's worth and make it into a Right vs Left thing. That's what he does.

I can certainly understand why Goodell was a bit nervous about Rush's possible ownership. The commissioner has made a very big effort to clean up the image of the league (and has done a fairly decent job, IMO) and I'm sure there were worries about allowing such a polarizing personality to get involved.

I also think that the public outcry from Rev. Al, et al had an effect. If nothing else, their collective outrage solidified the decision in Goodell's mind.

As for the players who claimed they wouldn't play for a team owned by Rush...I call BS. You offer a guy millions of dollars to play football and he's not gonna care who's signing the checks.

[DonTheTrucker]

I can certainly understand why Goodell was a bit nervous about Rush's possible ownership.

The NFL is pussy whipped. Sports writers and race hustlers own them now, and this is proof. Mike Vick could get caught drinking dog blood tomorrow while stomping on kittens and he would get a 3rd chance. Because the guilty liberal white sports writers and Rev. Al would browbeat the NFL into taking him back. Meanwhile, Rush makes a valid point against the sports media and they turn him into Satan.

This is the very definition of false outrage. But the NFL has every right to let whomever they want compete in their league. If they choose to be run by a bunch of C student journalists and scam artists, it's their choice.

[LBF]

The NFL is pussy whipped. Sports writers and race hustlers own them now, and this is proof. Mike Vick could get caught drinking dog blood tomorrow while stomping on kittens and he would get a 3rd chance. Because the guilty liberal white sports writers and Rev. Al would browbeat the NFL into taking him back. Meanwhile, Rush makes a valid point against the sports media and they turn him into Satan.

This is the very definition of false outrage. But the NFL has every right to let whomever they want compete in their league. If they choose to be run by a bunch of C student journalists and scam artists, it's their choice.


You'll note I didn't say I agree with Goodell's reasoning. I can just see where he's coming from.... and, yes, it is a position based on fear.

[DonTheTrucker]

You'll note I didn't say I agree with Goodell's reasoning. I can just see where he's coming from.... and, yes, it is a position based on fear.

This is the same guy who has enacted rules preventing defensive player from actually playing defense. He's a moron. Can we just force Tagliabue out of retirement?

[DonTheTrucker]

Looks like the NFL isn't exactly concerned about diversity when it really counts. (http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/the_nfls_diversity_problem.html)


Asian Americans make up 4.5 percent of the American population and zero percent of the NFL unless one includes Scott Fujita, a Caucasian adopted by a Japanese family.

You mean to tell me a great sumo champion wouldn't work out as an offensive lineman?

[LBF]

You mean to tell me a great sumo champion wouldn't work out as an offensive lineman?



Interesting question. I know sumo champions are masters at leverage, etc. I just wonder if they would be able to handle another person trying to get around them, not just coming at them head on. I would also wonder about their stamina. Pushing and shoving real hard for 10 seconds is one thing.....doing it every play on a 6 minute drive is something altogether different.

ESPN should do some sort of reality show about this. Get 10 sumo wrestlers and a couple O-line experts to train the them for a couple weeks. At the end of the training, let them battle it out with NFL D-lineman for the chance to win a NFL contract.



And the recent rule changes aren't Goodell's fault, IMO. The competition committee, made up of executives and a few coaches, are the guys that have basically made it impossible to play defense.

[DonTheTrucker]

And the recent rule changes aren't Goodell's fault, IMO. The competition committee, made up of executives and a few coaches, are the guys that have basically made it impossible to play defense.

Maybe not totally his fault, but this wouldn't have happened under Tagliabue.

And don't even get me started on how Goodell handled the Patriots cheating scandal. All the man is concerned with is good publicity for the league, even at the cost of quality of play.

[Stormrider666]

This is the same guy who has enacted rules preventing defensive player from actually playing defense. He's a moron. Can we just force Tagliabue out of retirement?

So let me see if I understand this. You complain about the characther of some of the players in the NFL. Yet you want the one guy was way too lenient on players who broke the law.

Goodell has done a great job at cleaning up the image of the NFL. Some would say he has gone overboard with handing out some of the punishments. A sentiment I don't agree with. Except when he seems to have a double standard when it comes to disciplining management. EX's: The Patriots cheating scandal and I'm waiting to see how he handles the Tom Cable situation. To be honest, that's why I was kind of suprised that he came out against Rush being part of the ownership group.

Edit: If I remember correctly the rules penalizing defensive backs started under Tagliabue.


Looks like the NFL isn't exactly concerned about diversity when it really counts. (http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/10/the_nfls_diversity_problem.html)




You mean to tell me a great sumo champion wouldn't work out as an offensive lineman?

I'm going to say no. Just like just because Usain Bolt can run really fast, doesn't mean he would make a great receiver.

I know there has to be a couple of more Asian players in the NFL. If anything the amount of Samoan players in the NFL should be a good example of the diversity in the NFL.

[DonTheTrucker]

So let me see if I understand this. You complain about the characther of some of the players in the NFL. Yet you want the one guy was way too lenient on players who broke the law.

Where did I complain about character of players? I wasn't even extremely tough on Mike Vick.


Edit: If I remember correctly the rules penalizing defensive backs started under Tagliabue.

The Brady Rule is the breaking point for me.



I know there has to be a couple of more Asian players in the NFL. If anything the amount of Samoan players in the NFL should be a good example of the diversity in the NFL.

I'm not the one crying about diversity. Jim Irsay was. And he isn't practicing what he preaches. The Irsays are fucking scumbags.

[Stormrider666]

Where did I complain about character of players? I wasn't even extremely tough on Mike Vick.




The Brady Rule is the breaking point for me.





I'm not the one crying about diversity. Jim Irsay was. And he isn't practicing what he preaches. The Irsays are fucking scumbags.

My bad I misread your post.

But I do I agree with you about the Brady rule. I'm all for protecting the quarterback, but Brady rule is over the top.

I think Jim Irsay has praticed what he preaches when it comes to diversity. He hired Tony Dungey and Jim Caudwell as head coaches.

[Fr. Dougal]

Rush's latest comments:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704322004574477021697942920.html?m od=WSJ_hpp_RIGHTTopCarousel



David Checketts, an investor and owner of sports teams, approached me in late May about investing in the St. Louis Rams football franchise. As a football fan, I was intrigued. I invited him to my home where we discussed it further. Even after informing him that some people might try to make an issue of my participation, Mr. Checketts said he didn't much care. I accepted his offer.

It didn't take long before my name was selectively leaked to the media as part of the Checketts investment group. Shortly thereafter, the media elicited comments from the likes of Al Sharpton. In 1998 Mr. Sharpton was found guilty of defamation and ordered to pay $65,000 for falsely accusing a New York prosecutor of **** in the 1987 Tawana Brawley case. He also played a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot (he called neighborhood Jews "diamond merchants") and 1995 Freddie's Fashion Mart riot.

Not to be outdone, Jesse Jackson, whose history includes anti-Semitic speech (in 1984 he referred to Jews as "Hymies" and to New York City as "Hymietown" in a Washington Post interview) chimed in. He found me unfit to be associated with the NFL. I was too divisive and worse. I was accused of once supporting slavery and having praised Martin Luther King Jr.'s murderer, James Earl Ray.

Next came writers in the sports world, like the Washington Post's Michael Wilbon. He wrote this gem earlier this week: "I'm not going to try and give specific examples of things Limbaugh has said over the years because I screwed up already doing that, repeating a quote attributed to Limbaugh (about slavery) which he has told me he simply did not say and does not reflect his feelings. I take him at his word. . . . "

Mr. Wilbon wasn't alone. Numerous sportswriters, CNN, MSNBC, among others, falsely attributed to me statements I had never made. Their sources, as best I can tell, were Wikipedia and each other. But the Wikipedia post was based on a fabrication printed in a book that also lacked any citation to an actual source.

I never said I supported slavery and I never praised James Earl Ray. How sick would that be? Just as sick as those who would use such outrageous slanders against me or anyone else who never even thought such things. Mr. Wilbon refuses to take responsibility for his poison pen, writing instead that he will take my word that I did not make these statements; others, like Rick Sanchez of CNN, essentially used the same sleight-of-hand.

The sports media elicited comments from a handful of players, none of whom I can recall ever meeting. Among other things, at least one said he would never play for a team I was involved in given my racial views. My racial views? You mean, my belief in a colorblind society where every individual is treated as a precious human being without regard to his race? Where football players should earn as much as they can and keep as much as they can, regardless of race? Those controversial racial views?

The NFL players union boss, DeMaurice Smith, jumped in. A Washington criminal defense lawyer, Democratic Party supporter and Barack Obama donor, he sent a much publicized email to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying that it was important for the league to reject discrimination and hatred.

When Mr. Goodell was asked about me, he suggested that my 2003 comment criticizing the media's coverage of Donovan McNabb—in which I said the media was cheerleading Mr. McNabb because they wanted a successful black quarterback—fell short of the NFL's "high standard." High standard? Half a decade later, the media would behave the same way about the presidential candidacy of Mr. Obama.

Having brought me into his group, Mr. Checketts now wanted a way out. He asked me to resign. I told him no way. I had done nothing wrong. I had not uttered the words these people were putting in my mouth. And I would not bow to their libels and pressure. He would have to drop me from the group. A few days later, he did.

As I explained on my radio show, this spectacle is bigger than I am on several levels. There is a contempt in the news business, including the sportswriter community, for conservatives that reflects the blind hatred espoused by Messrs. Sharpton and Jackson. "Racism" is too often their sledgehammer. And it is being used to try to keep citizens who don't share the left's agenda from participating in the full array of opportunities this nation otherwise affords each of us. It was on display many years ago in an effort to smear Clarence Thomas with racist stereotypes and keep him off the Supreme Court. More recently, it was employed against patriotic citizens who attended town-hall meetings and tea-party protests.

These intimidation tactics are working and spreading, and they are a cancer on our society.

[Sinn Fein]

I love the fact that Rush refuses to back down. This thing with Rev. Al oughta get interesting.

[CousinDave]

I wonder if the NHL would have acted like faggots the way the NFL did.

Was Rev Al on WWE a few weeks back? Vince needs to get Rush on and then Rush challenges Rev Al to a cage match.

[gleet]

Rush has a large pile of money to play with, and could ruin the reverend out of boredom. This could be fun if Al can't shut up.


Rev. Al Sharpton threatens to sue Rush Limbaugh over Wall Street Journal op-ed

By Larry Mcshane
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Updated Saturday, October 17th 2009, 4:29 PM

The civil rights activist, angered by a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece written by Rush Limbaugh, threatened a defamation lawsuit Saturday against the conversative talk radio host.


The Rev. Al Sharpton is ready for a Rush to judgment.

The civil rights leader, typically impervious to insults, said Saturday that he will sue Rush Limbaugh for defamation unless he gets an apology from the right-wing radio host.

Sharpton was outraged by a Limbaugh op-ed piece in The Wall Street Journal that blamed him for the 1991 Crown Heights riot and a 1995 killing spree at a Harlem store.

"I am definitely going to prove he makes reckless, unaccountable statements," Sharpton said. "Which is why he was forced out of buying an NFL team in the first place."

Limbaugh lashed out at Sharpton over the right-wing radio host's failed attempt to purchase a piece of the St. Louis Rams. Sharpton, among others, blasted Limbaugh's bid for NFL ownership.

Limbaugh replied in his op-ed piece that Sharpton "played a leading role in the 1991 Crown Heights riot ... and 1995 Freddie's Fashion Mart riot."

Seven people were killed by a gun-toting man who set a fire in the Freddie's Fashion Mart. A Jewish scholar was stabbed to death in Crown Heights three hours after a 7-year-old black boy was fatally struck by a car.

Slanderous, according to Sharpton, who denied both allegations.

"He doesn't have the right to lie and accuse people of crimes," Sharpton said. "He wants to criminalize me.

"That's what got him in trouble. He tried to criminalize the NFL players, calling them Crips and Bloods."

The hard-line conservative also mentioned Sharpton's wrongful accusations in the Tawana Brawley case, and the reverend's "blind hatred" - although Sharpton took no issue with those remarks.

Limbaugh was unavailable for comment Saturday.

lmcshane@nydailynews.com


http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/10/17/2009-10-17_rev_al_sharpton_threatens_to_sue_rush_limbaugh_ over_wall_street_journal_oped.html

[LBF]

"He doesn't have the right to lie and accuse people of crimes,"


Ummmm, what???? Al Sharpton calling someone else out for lying is akin to Al Roker calling out Rosie O'Donnell for being fat.

[Fr. Dougal]

Plus, you have to prove damage to a reputation in a slander/libel case. This race-baiting so-called fucking "reverend" already has a reputation as a lying piece of shit. Fuck him and his mother.

And since Rush's piece was an opinion/editorial... does that grant him some sort of "poetic license?"

[Wilmington WOW]

Rev Al is a douche, but here is an interesting take on the situation.

Head Strong: Passing on Limbaugh a business decision
The NFL's rejection of the controversial talk show host was based on what owners thought was best for their enterprise.
By Michael Smerconish - Inquirer

Inquirer Currents Columnist

The NFL's rejecting Rush Limbaugh was a bit like the members of the Merion Cricket Club blackballing Thurston Howell III. The owners' objection to Limbaugh wasn't based on his politics - they overwhelmingly share his views. They refused to allow him to join their club in the name of good business.
Consider that over the last 20 years, 78 percent of the approximately $7 million that NFL owners, coaches, players, and their associates have donated to political candidates and committees has gone to Republicans. That's according to figures recently compiled and studied by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) in Washington.

The San Diego Chargers ($2,455,200), Houston Texans ($623,456), Arizona Cardinals ($337,096), Washington Redskins ($323,000), and New York Jets ($261,403) organizations were the NFL's top five political contributors since 1990, the center reported. Four of those teams donated 90 percent or more of their contributions to GOP interests. For the one that didn't, the Redskins, the figure was 75 percent.

Among the owners, the pattern is even more pronounced. Nearly every dime of the $2 million that Chargers owner Alex Spanos - the league's most deep-pocketed contributor - has donated over two decades has gone to the GOP. Texans owner Robert McNair, who has given more than $500,000 since 1990, has contributed almost exclusively to Republicans.

Daniel Snyder (Washington Redskins) and Tom Benson (New Orleans Saints) also are big-time GOP donors. And Robert Johnson, owner of the Jets, raised thousands of dollars for George W. Bush's presidential campaigns.

Interestingly, while the NFL owners have overwhelmingly supported the GOP, there has been a consistent outlier - the same St. Louis Rams that Limbaugh sought to own. No team has donated more to Democratic candidates and causes over the last two decades than the Rams.

Officials associated with the team gave $230,050 to D's - 98 percent of team-associated political giving. (The Los Angeles Rams contributed an additional $47,250 - 90 percent of their total donations - to Democrats before leaving the City of Angels in 1995.)

Current Rams majority owner Chip Rosenbloom has given $13,100 to Democratic candidates over the last decade. His mother, Georgia Frontiere, who owned the team after her husband's death in 1979, donated more than $134,000 to Democratic interests between 1997 and her death in 2008.

There have been a few exceptions. Rosenbloom and his mother each logged a contribution to one Republican presidential candidate during the 2008 cycle - the most moderate in the field. Rosenbloom donated $1,000 to Rudy Giuliani in June 2007. Three months earlier, his mother had given $2,300 to John McCain. Neither candidate was high on Limbaugh's presidential wish list.

One wonders if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's negative assessment of Limbaugh's bid ("I would not want to see those comments coming from people who are in a responsible position in the NFL - absolutely not") were predicated on knowledge that his role would ultimately not sit well with Rosenbloom. The NFL itself has had to hedge the bets of its GOP-dominated owners.

"The National Football League - we're talking people who work for the league, who are league leaders, all the way up to the commissioner - the National Football League itself has actually donated more to Democrats than to Republicans," CRP's Dave Levinthal, who wrote the analysis, told me. "It's about a 70/30 split."

Only one owner was prepared to say he would not support the inclusion of Limbaugh. But given that Goodell is their hire, common sense dictates he would not have voiced negativity unless more than one held that view. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said he wouldn't vote for Limbaugh because of the host's "inappropriate, incendiary, and insensitive" commentary.

But it was the owner of a basketball franchise who came closest to explaining why the Limbaugh role failed. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, whom the NBA has fined almost $2 million for his own verbal and behavioral incidents, blogged that the NFL should be "terrified" not of things Limbaugh has already said, but of "what he might say AFTER he was an approved investor in the St. Louis Rams."

"Given that we will never know what the 'next big issue' in this world that Rush will be discussing on his show is, it's impossible for the NFL to even try to predict or gauge the impact on the NFL's business if something controversial, or even worse yet, something nationally polarizing happens. There is an unquantifiable risk that comes with the size of Rush's audience," Cuban wrote on his blog.

He's right. The substance of the most widely cited Rush-isms - the infamous McNabb quote and his comparison of the NFL to "a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons" - fails to demonstrate any overt racism. And it's doubtful that any of his political leanings would alienate this crowd, given how they themselves have donated.

Instead, the owners determined that it was just bad business to add to their ranks someone who would have kept them in headlines going forward while most choose to fly beneath the radar.

"This is about the future of the United States of America and what kind of country we're going to have," Limbaugh said last week, casting the debate as some kind of a referendum on capitalism. But he was wrong.

To the contrary, Limbaugh was compromised by the very principles he espouses - the free market. A group of like-minded private businessmen, unfettered by government, made a decision as to what was best for their enterprise.

[DonTheTrucker]

To the contrary, Limbaugh was compromised by the very principles he espouses - the free market. A group of like-minded private businessmen, unfettered by government, made a decision as to what was best for their enterprise.

It's not a fair free market decision when the owners are pressured by race hustlers like Sharpton. Especially since most of the quotes attributed to him were proven false.