Rush Limbaugh and the Rams

[electracoyote]

the Eagles were 0-2, so he decides to leap in and push his agenda.

This may well be. We could read the stats and draw our own conclusions about Donovan McNabb.

It does not change the disturbing (to many) trend and expectation by the NFL insisting quotas and hiring practices that amount to reverse-discrimination.

This is the far larger point Limbaugh was making.

Now, comparing Limbaugh to a mad dog like Mark Cuban, well, that's one opinion I guess...

 

[Jared Lash]

You can argue that Limbaugh's comments about the NFL looking like a gang war were spot on, or that he was right that McNabb gets far more credit than he deserves because he's black and the media is rooting for him because of it, that he doesn't have a racist bone in his body but the NFL does for it's reverse racism (the Rooney rule only calls for a minority to be interviewed not hired BTW) towards whites and I could concede all of those points to you.

It still doesn't change the fact that he's a polarizing figure and the NFL has every right to not accept his bid when there are other groups with the same money and no potential headaches involved with their ownership. That's the bottom line.

 

[jrthebassguy]

This may well be. We could read the stats and draw our own conclusions about Donovan McNabb.

It does not change the disturbing (to many) trend and expectation by the NFL insisting quotas and hiring practices that amount to reverse-discrimination.

This is the far larger point Limbaugh was making.

Now, comparing Limbaugh to a mad dog like Mark Cuban, well, that's one opinion I guess...

Two things:


Donovan McNabb has reached more conference championships as a quarterback more than any other active qb in the NFL. Even if he's never won "the big one" he's still one of the greats of this generation.

The NFL has no hiring quotas at all. Zero. You just made that up. The Rooney Rule (probably what you're trying to refer to, but are failing miserably with) does require the interviewing of minority candidates, but that's only to even out the fact that historically, fully qualified black candidates were not considered for head coaching jobs in the NFL. There is no hiring quota.

 

[Hamrhed]

The problem here, as I see it, is it has been clearly outlined and stated why Rush has been cut out of the deal. And it wasn't his past pain killer dependance. It was his politics. That was made very plain by all involved

Actually- this is a popular view that has very little to do w/ the truth. Funny thing is its all really simple but it is fun to see people get agitated and sweaty just like good ole Rush Limbaugh makes people get

The plain truth is that it has nothing to do w/ NFLPA complaints and threats: 99.9% of those who say they would boycott the Rams if RL took an ownership stake... flash 'em that check and they are on board. And it obviously has little to nothing to do w/ politics as the vast majority of owners are conservative.

Its simple: The NFL is the ultimate country club- if they dont want you they wont have you. It really doesnt matter whether RL is a political boon/trainwreck or not in their eyes- any kind of potential distraction or dishonor that he brings upon their brand is simply not worth the hassle- they dont need it and certainly dont need his money. Think of the embarrassment for the NFL if they agreed to let him in and then you have another 'NFL countdown' moment ala the McNabb comment They will never let that happen if it can be stopped- and it always will be.

Its pretty much the same reason that Mark Cuban was denied the Cubs franchise: MLB & the owners didnt need the potential headache, period- so they killed it...

Rush Limbaugh- like Fox news- makes a seriously great living getting conservatives foaming at the mouth against the evil of Liberalism; Likewise, Keith Olbermann & MSNBC do the same against the evil empire of Conservatism I would be willing to bet that if the money was right, Rush, Keith, Glenn Beck, Richard Simmons, and Homer Simpson would immediately turn about face and champion the enemy... Money always talks

 

[hbarcat]

That's it. Every mishap deserves a lawsuit.

It's very hard for a political figure to win a defamation suit. The threshold for proof is astronomical.

Not true. Rush may be political but he is not a politician. He is a private citizen. When professional journalists write stories where they grossly misquote a private citizen as making blatantly racist comments and then that private citizen subsequently loses a business opportunity because of that quote, then that is libel and in a lawsuit, the offending journalist will likely have to pay damages.

I was once a journalist for a few small town newspapers and I learned the same rules that every big name journalist has to learn. Misquoting people is not only a very serious violation of journalistic ethics and it can also be illegal and you can be sued for libel.

 

[dangnewt]

Rush is not a politician but he is a public figure and thus subject to a higher threshold as fdeck said.

All that has happened is that Rush's partner (who really should have known better, it is not like David Checketts hasn't been around pro sports for a while) doesn't want Rush as a partner anymore. If Rush wants to put together a group and bid on a team, he can. Frankly, I'm disappointed that he is folding his tent so quickly - basically on a few vague tut-tuts from the commissioner and an owner or two and the crazy bluff of the players association of a boycott (who quickly folded when they went on strike in 80's.)

Better yet, Rush should buy a struggling basketball team or hockey team and make it model franchise and be an exemplary owner - then try to purchase an NFL team. Sometimes, you have to pay your dues - this is one board that has gotta understand that concept.

 

[iamlowsound]

This whole situation sounds a lot like the Basillie thing in the NHL. He has tried to buy three teams now and keeps getting rejected, even took the league to court about it. He wants to move a team to Hamilton Ontario, the league claims that they don't want to move a team. Now they are in talks with another guy about moving a team to Quebec City. In all honesty, they can sell to who they want and the can move a team about as they want. It goes the same way in the NFL.

lowsound

 

[electracoyote]

Rush Limbaugh- like Fox news- makes a seriously great living getting conservatives foaming at the mouth against the evil of Liberalism; Likewise, Keith Olbermann & MSNBC do the same against the evil empire of Conservatism

Great points all, especially this one.

For the record, I would be just as concerned if this were Keith Olberman we were discussing. I'm not a fan, and he has said some pretty outgrageous stuff, but everyone has an opinion, and some are a little more mouthy than others.

I guess my frustration is with the NFL and it's double standards. Here is a pro sports organization that reinstates habitual problem children with some degree of regularity. That doesn't seem to bother anyone in the front office, the NFLPA, or the owners.

You're right: The almighty dollar wins the day. And the rules are inconsistent, self-serving, and ever-changing. The ultimate good ole boys club.

 

[dangnewt]

That gives me an idea - we could trade our Rush for your Rush. The radio guy moves to Canada and he could bring hockey back to Quebec and be a hero. We put the band Rush in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and promise Geddy great seats at any baseball game he wants to go to.

Maybe Radio Rush buys a CFL team as well while he is at it. He could escape what he perceives as the hell that Obama has turned America into. He likes cigars, and Cubans are legal in Canada. Other than he would be covered by a government-run health care system, this has win-win-win written all over it.

 

[iamlowsound]

That gives me an idea - we could trade our Rush for your Rush. The radio guy moves to Canada and he could bring hockey back to Quebec and be a hero. We put the band Rush in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and promise Geddy great seats at any baseball game he wants to go to.

Maybe Radio Rush buys a CFL team as well while he is at it. He could escape what he perceives as the hell that Obama has turned America into. He likes cigars, and Cubans are legal in Canada. Other than he would be covered by a government-run health care system, this has win-win-win written all over it.

We want hockey in Hamilton, not Quebec City (while, both would be nice). Rush L would have way too much to complain about here in Canada. In Canada, Obama lines up with the Conservative party and they live up to their name. He would view Canada as the 7 level of Hell.

lowsound

 

[dangnewt]

We want hockey in Hamilton, not Quebec City (while, both would be nice). Rush L would have way too much to complain about here in Canada. In Canada, Obama lines up with the Conservative party and they live up to their name. He would view Canada as the 7 level of Hell.

lowsound

Our Rush has enough money to make both happen. And he already spends as much time in Florida as the average Canadian his age - I am sure that he could adjust to Canada and vice-versa.

 

[Justice]

Maybe Rush could buy one of the UFL expansion teams next year and then he could compete directly with Nancy Pelosi's hubby who owns the California Redwoods.

 

[iamlowsound]

Our Rush has enough money to make both happen. And he already spends as much time in Florida as the average Canadian his age - I am sure that he could adjust to Canada and vice-versa.

The guy that is trying to buy a team to move it to Hamilton is the same guy that owns Blackberry, he is worth $10 billion. I doubt that Rush L has that kind of money kicking around.

lowsound

 

[dangnewt]

The guy that is trying to buy a team to move it to Hamilton is the same guy that owns Blackberry, he is worth $10 billion. I doubt that Rush L has that kind of money kicking around.

lowsound

No, 10 really big ones is a little above Rush's - I think he is more in the 500 mill.

 

[hbarcat]

Rush is not a politician but he is a public figure and thus subject to a higher threshold as fdeck said.

All that has happened is that Rush's partner (who really should have known better, it is not like David Checketts hasn't been around pro sports for a while) doesn't want Rush as a partner anymore. If Rush wants to put together a group and bid on a team, he can. Frankly, I'm disappointed that he is folding his tent so quickly - basically on a few vague tut-tuts from the commissioner and an owner or two and the crazy bluff of the players association of a boycott (who quickly folded when they went on strike in 80's.)

Better yet, Rush should buy a struggling basketball team or hockey team and make it model franchise and be an exemplary owner - then try to purchase an NFL team. Sometimes, you have to pay your dues - this is one board that has gotta understand that concept.

But they were the ones who approached him. They pitched him the deal and he accepted. According to Rush, he voiced concern to his potential partners, even before he accepted, that they wouldn't be ready for the firestorm that he knew would be coming. They assured him they were okay with it and could withstand the pressure and see the bid through to the league's decision. Then, when the pressure predictably showed up, they panicked and dumped him. They first asked him to "volunteer" to withdraw as a partner and he refused, on principle, so they forced him out.

The fact is, Rush isn't out anything - he hasn't forfeited any money and he hasn't put much of his time into this. But the reason he wants to buy an NFL team is because he loves the NFL. He's not interested in other sports (golf isn't a sport ).

 

[hbarcat]

Even discounting made up quotes and allegations, Limbaugh is a polarizing figure and apparently the NFL doesn't think that's good for business. You can't have it both ways. You can't make a career out of being a polemicist or political figurehead where being divisive is part and parcel with the position and then be upset when you are denied entry to a club that frowns on divisiveness.

All true. But Rush isn't upset that he might be turned down by the league. He's angry that he's being libeled in newspapers and slandered on radio and TV. It's one thing if the league says, "You're too polarizing and divisive and we don't want you." But we'll never get to know whether or not the league would have accepted him as a part owner of a team because it never made it that far. The reason he was booted was because he was accused of being a racist and enough people believe the accusations.

And he's unhappy with being told by his partners they would stick with him, despite the inevitable controversy, and then bailed out the instant it appeared.

 

[dangnewt]

And he's unhappy with being told by his partners they would stick with him, despite the inevitable controversy, and then bailed out the instant it appeared.

As well he should be - I'd be PO'ed as well. I knew if we dragged this out long enough we'd find some common ground.

 

[Jared Lash]

All true. But Rush isn't upset that he might be turned down by the league. He's angry that he's being libeled in newspapers and slandered on radio and TV. It's one thing if the league says, "You're too polarizing and divisive and we don't want you." But we'll never get to know whether or not the league would have accepted him as a part owner of a team because it never made it that far. The reason he was booted was because he was accused of being a racist and enough people believe the accusations.

And he's unhappy with being told by his partners they would stick with him, despite the inevitable controversy, and then bailed out the instant it appeared.

True, but the ONLY thing I've been trying to explain is why his bid wasn't going to be accepted by the NFL. Personally I think even without the recent racist allegations he wouldn't have had a chance. As I said, it's a money issue. Players might say they'd boycott the Rams, but they wouldn't. But would a percentage of fans that disagree with him and his views stop going to games in St. Louis? Would people not want to watch Rams games? I don't know. Of course nobody wants to watch the Rams play now, but I digress. He's already made inflammatory remarks about the NFL in the past and his comments about Donovan McNabb will always haunt him. I don't think the recent firestorm is what is holding him up from being an NFL owner. But I could be wrong.

And FWIW I'm not a Limbaugh fan (I have no use for any political commentators) but I do sympathize with him having to fight allegations of racism that are fueled by "quotes" that he never said. Judging a man by his actual words is one thing, but this has become a witch hunt.

 

[fdeck]

He's angry that he's being libeled in newspapers and slandered on radio and TV.

Pot, kettle. He's too easily offended.

 

[hbarcat]

True, but the ONLY thing I've been trying to explain is why his bid wasn't going to be accepted by the NFL. Personally I think even without the recent racist allegations he wouldn't have had a chance. As I said, it's a money issue. Players might say they'd boycott the Rams, but they wouldn't. But would a percentage of fans that disagree with him and his views stop going to games in St. Louis? Would people not want to watch Rams games? I don't know. Of course nobody wants to watch the Rams play now, but I digress. He's already made inflammatory remarks about the NFL in the past and his comments about Donovan McNabb will always haunt him. I don't think the recent firestorm is what is holding him up from being an NFL owner. But I could be wrong.

If I had to bet, I would say that he would have been rejected, and for the reason you stated. The other owners and the higher ups in the league can't take a chance that 0.2% of NFL fans will sour on the league because Rush is part owner of a team.

But it works both ways. Frankly, I think there will be a small backlash against the league. Rush has over 20 million fans and right now most of them think the NFL treated Limbaugh pretty badly. In their enthusiasm to keep a "politically polarizing" figure out of their midst, a whole lot of NFL figures, including some players, made themselves very political and said some very nasty things about Rush and some very nasty things were said back. People watch sports to have fun and escape from the serious bits of life. Until the fallout from this whole episode dissipates, the NFL is going to remind a lot of people of an ugly political fight and that isn't a good mood for watching football on a crisp, autumn afternoon.