ST. LOUIS (Oct. 14) - 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.
This photo provided by Rush Limbaugh shows Limbaugh in his Palm Beach, Fla. radio studio, the last week of Sept., 2009. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he would not tolerate "divisive" comments from an NFL owner like the ones the talk show host made about Donovan McNabb in 2003. And Colts owner Jim Irsay says he would vote to bar Limbaugh if he tries to buy the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Photo courtesy of Rush Limbaugh)
This photo provided by Rush Limbaugh shows Limbaugh in his Palm Beach, Fla. radio studio, the last week of Sept., 2009. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he would not tolerate "divisive" comments from an NFL owner like the ones the talk show host made about Donovan McNabb in 2003. And Colts owner Jim Irsay says he would vote to bar Limbaugh if he tries to buy the St. Louis Rams. (AP Photo/Photo courtesy of Rush Limbaugh)
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New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) walks off the field after the Jets lost to the Miami Dolphins 31-27 during an NFL football game in Miami Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) looks up at the replay screen after the Dolphins scored the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game in Miami Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. The Dolphins won 31-27. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne (7) is congratulated by head coach Tony Sparano, right, after the Dolphins scored the game-winning touchdown against the New York Jets during an NFL football game in Miami Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. The Dolphins won 31-27. At left is Miami Dolphins back-up quarterback Tyler Thigpen (16). (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Linebacker Jason Taylor #99 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates after defeating the New York Jets at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Taylor
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Singer Marc Anthony sings the National Anthem prior to the Miami Dolphins against the New York Jets fans prior to their game at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marc Anthony
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Singer Marc Anthony sings the National Anthem prior to the Miami Dolphins against the New York Jets fans prior to their game at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marc Anthony
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Performance artist limited partner Jennifer Lopez of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown against the New York Jets at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jennifer Lopez
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Miami Dolphins linebacker Jason Taylor (99) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter during an NFL football game against the New York Jets in Miami, Monday, Oct. 12, 2009. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. Taylor left Monday night's game against the Jets with a right shoulder injury but returned later in the fourth quarter. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Linebacker David Harris #52 of the New York Jets stops running back Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins from reaching the end-zone at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Harris;Ricky Williams
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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."
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LIAR LIMBAUGH -THE MOUTH ALREADY THINKS HE'S THE SELF APPOINTED JUDGE OF THE WORLD...JUST LIKE ADOLPH HITLER!!! HE IS A BIG FAT NOTHING!!! NOTHING BUT A DRUG, FOOD, ATTENTION SEEKING, EGO MANIACLE, HATE MONGERING ADDICT!!! HE REMINDS ME OF A DROOLING, SNORTING, UGLY, WART HOG!! HE'S THE MOST DESPERATE, PATHETIC, OBNOXIOUS, DISINFORMED, BIG MOUTH FROM HIGH SCHOOL WHO NOBODY LIKED EXCEPT THE OTHER LOOSERS!! THE SIGHT OF HIM MAKES ME GAG!!! ONE OF THE MOST UNATTRACTIVE HUMANOID'S EVER!!
Rush this isnâÂÂt about Conservatism against Liberalism this time, the fact is there are plenty of Conservatives in and associated with the NFL . Get Real !!This is personal dude â¦. The NFL just doesnâÂÂt want YOU. ItâÂÂs quite simply a business decision they have made , so donâÂÂt camouflage this one with the politics of Conservatism vs Liberalism, quite frankly that the real NFL fans actually try to get a break from on NFL Sundays , take some personal resonsibility like you preach on your show!!
Drop your patronizing tactics! president obama was voted in without your help. So don't you see? You are pretty insignificant. You can't stop what God has blessed!!!
Sue the pants off of them ************ racist leftie Bastards are getting Waaaaaaayyy out of line trying to still the voice of any moderate or conservative because we don't agree with them. I can't tell you how disappointed I am at people who side with Sharpton and Jackson, if most of their objection s about Rush are that he is a big-mouth and Racist!!! Sounds like the picture of Sharpton and Jackson to a Tee. I hope Rushj pushes it for all it's worth, to slow down the racist lefties who think they own the world these days!!!
