Read Sports Geek’s argument and Loyal Homer’s argument about whether or not Rush Limbaugh would make a good addition to the ownership ranks of the NFL.
He has been referred to as the “Most Dangerous Man in America,” the “Doctor of Democracy,” and is the most listened to voice in talk radio… but an NFL Owner?! Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh recently partnered with St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts, to put together a bid to purchase the St. Louis Rams.
Following the death of former Rams owner Georgia Frontiere in January of 2008, rumors began to swirl about whether or not the team, which has not finished better than 8-8 since their last playoff appearance in 2004 and has only won a total of five games since the 2007 season, was actually for sale. Limbaugh, who is a native of Missouri, had expressed an interest in purchasing the team so that he could help ensure that it remain in St. Louis, and not be moved back to Los Angeles. Although this was the first attempt by Limbaugh to acquire ownership of a professional team, it is not his first foray into the world of pro sports. He was at one time the director of promotions for the Kansas City Royals, and he also briefly worked on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” before resigning due to controversial statements made at the time about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.
Last night, however, Checketts formally announced that Limbaugh was dropped from the group making the bid to purchase the Rams. It seems that Limbaugh’s potential ownership did not sit well among the current ownership ranks in the league, with Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay going so far as to claim that he “couldn’t even consider voting for him.” Many of the owners, who are very familiar with Limbaugh’s ability to stir up controversy through very divisive statements, did not want to open the door to that controversy within their leagues.
What is interesting, however, is that the fans of the NFL seem to be in favor of seeing Limbaugh as the owner of an NFL team. In a poll that was posted online at foxsports.com, 55% of the more than 337,000 people who participated in the poll stated that they would actually like to see Rush as the owner of their team, because of the passion that he would bring to their organization.
Sounds like a question for The Sports Debates!
Today, I am challenging my fellow debaters with the following question: Would Rush Limbaugh be a good addition to the ranks of NFL ownership?
While owners and league officials are concerned about the many controversies stirred up by Limbaugh’s often inflammatory comments and the impact they could have on the league, the majority of fans in the NFL seem to feel differently.
Loyal Homer will take the position that Limbaugh would actually make a positive addition to the NFL as owner of a team. Although he can polarize the public on many issues, that same public seems to be supportive of his bid. Limbaugh would bring his knowledge, experience, and his very large following to the NFL, all of which are very positive additions to the league.
Sports Geek will argue to the contrary, that Limbaugh’s participation as a league owner would actually do more harm than good. He is no stranger to scandal, and his reputation for making inflammatory statements makes him too controversial a figure to welcome into the league as an owner of one of the league’s franchises.
We know what the “Ditto-heads” have to say, so now it is time to hear from The Sports Debates.
