Citing past “divisive“comments by Rush Limbaugh, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell effectively squashed the conservative talkshow host’s bid to buy the St. Louis Rams today.
(NFL: majority of you think Limbaugh is racist, Olbermann isn’t)
Anyone outside of Limbaugh’s most devoted followers will allow that Goodell’s “divisive” was really a euphemism for “racist,” with the former employed in an attempt to avoid alienating Limbaugh’s millions of NFL-product-consuming worshippers.
At the very least, it’s not unreasonable to observe Limbaugh as a polarizing figure in the world of politics. But if Goodell is going to eliminate Limbaugh from formally associating with the NFL, what about a current, NFL-affiliated person well-known in the world of bipolar political exploration - Keith Olbermann (Co-host, NBC’s Sunday Night Football In America studio show.)
(NFL rebuke: most genuinely embarrassing moment of Limbaugh’s public life)
Like Limbaugh, Olbermann often manufactures conflict with “divisive” political commentary on MSNBC. But for the benefit of those of you who don’t understand why the NFL treats them dissimilarly …
… Goodell thinks the majority of NFL fans believe Limbaugh is a racist, and having him associated with the league is bad for business.
… Goodell thinks the majority of NFL fans believe Olbermann is not a racist, and having him associated with the league is good for business.
Notice I didn’t say I thought Goodell himself thinks Limbaugh or Olbermann is or isn’t a racist. I would never guess at his personal beliefs. But I do have a pretty good idea why he decided to exclude Limbaugh from the ownership suite: cooly-executed analysis of public perception - and how that affects NFL revenue.
Unlike MLB ownership, which is run like a private club more concerned with maintaining petty control over personalities than fiscal pragmatism, the NFL’s leading lights have only concerned themselves with the personal when it affected the public.
Morality only as it pertains to monetary.
I really like Goodell, and I do think he’s different from the clammy, calculative nature of predecessor Paul Tagliabue. I saw that first hand this summer when I spent an evening with the Commish in Derek Jeter’s private suite at Yankee Stadium. There were only eight of us that night and Goodell was every bit the regular guy he comes off as in public.
As an aside, I can’t say the same for Bill O’Reilly, who barged in on the proceedings that night expressly to rib (good-naturedly) Goodell about legal problems plaguing the league’s players. O’Reilly, in a relaxed setting (no-over-the shoulder cell phone cameras) still came off as dude trying too hard. Goodell? He’s the guy yelling across the box if anyone wants an Amstel as he smuggles more dip outta the fridge.
Though in his treatment of Limbaugh today, it was a mistake for Goodell to eliminate an upstanding member of our society’s right to try to buy into an NFL team. Limbaugh didn’t get to his position in life by being a dummy, and I actually think he would’ve been a terrific owner who would’ve treated his players like gold. I really do.
White, black, purple, whatever. Limbaugh knows he wouldn’t be able to win without black players. It’s absurd to think that he would not go out of his way to reach out to black players to make sure they knew he supported them.
All you have to do to know that is listen to Limbaugh’s show. It isn’t real. It’s a theatrical production in which he’s playing to his audience. He’s doing what it takes to capture listeners. And no one in the history of the medium has ever been as successful as he has in giving people what they want. Do you really think he wouldn’t be smart enough to know that he’d have to provide all his players a supportive working environment?
Goodell’s rebuke is especially ironic because Limbaugh has been such an (unsolicited) supporter of the NFL over the years - providing the league millions in free publicity on his show. Framed against the questionable character and conduct of too many NFL owners, reading Goodell’s comments today almost elicited a chuckle. I don’t know how most well-meaning souls can come to any other conclusion than there’s at least a hint of hypocrisy in the pronouncement.
Though I suppose it was inevitable that something like this would happen to Limbaugh. Making hundreds of millions of dollars fomenting artificial conflict which does nothing but divide otherwise amiable Americans does not come without consequences.
Unlike the off-air hypocrises which somehow served to redouble the devotion of his massive audience, Limbaugh doesn’t get a do-over on this one. Money and fame will never erase this public embarrassment - despite his inevitable, eternal denials.
Goodell’s remarks today scarred Limbaugh personally probably more than anything that has every been said about him. His love for the NFL, if you’ve ever heard him speak about the league, was perhaps the only thing genuine he’s ever consistently represented on his show. Almost childlike.
One of the few (the only?) enterprises for which Limbaugh has a genuine affection caused him, besides perhaps the stolen pharma fiasco, the most significant public embarrassment he’s suffered.
The NFL got it wrong.
Funny how things work out.
11:34 pm on October 13th, 2009
“Making hundreds of millions of dollars fomenting artificial conflict which has does nothing but divide otherwise amiable Americans does not come without consequences.”
Well said, Brooks. One of your best-written pieces, ever. Good job!
12:27 am on October 14th, 2009
I’ll second that. And a great quote, too.
12:33 am on October 14th, 2009
I third that. Excellent quote. Plus, isn’t he a criminal? I don’t think the NFL wants Criminal Owners.
12:49 am on October 14th, 2009
Did you watch Goodell’s press conference? it was on NFL Network very early this morning, he didn’t completely shoot down Rush’s bid to buy the team, he said that players and other owners have been speaking out against it, and that its too early to even talk about anything as the Rams current owners haven’t officially began taking offers for the team as they don’t know if they want to sell for sure or not.
I agree with your “Rush got what he deserved” and the brilliant quote above…but the NFL didn’t get it wrong because there’s nothing to get wrong. Let Rush (along with Checketts) put in their bid, then when it gets voted down by the owners, blame them, and the players speaking out against him owning a team, not Goodell or the “NFL” (league office)…
Colts owner was one of a handful today at the owner’s meetings to say he would vote NO on the sale of the Rams to Rush…24 of 32 have to vote yes, there’s already one on record as a no with 4-5 more (no names given on NFLN) also saying no, so thats 5-6 no’s already and the team hasn’t even been sold, 3-4 more no votes, easily done because individual NFL Owners have groups of friends within the Ownership and they stick together (like if the Cowboys want votes Jerry Jones can get Al Davis to vote with him, etc) on these type of things and Rush owning the Rams wouldn’t happen anyways…
Rush said what he said, doesn’t deserve to own an NFL team, he can try but he dug his own grave in that respect, to pin it on the NFL (Goodell) is getting it wrong…
12:59 am on October 14th, 2009
How is Oberman “NFL-affiliated” if he works for NBC? If Oberman is NFL-affliliated does that mean Bill O’Reilly is affiliated with the Obama White House?
1:03 am on October 14th, 2009
Irsay,
Don’t be naive. It’s over. No chance.
This ain’t the NBA, owners hold all the cards.
1:56 am on October 14th, 2009
Of course it’s over…but you think Goodell relaying what players and owners are/were saying was the final straw???, the final straw was ESPN Sunday Countdown years ago when he made those comments…players and owners spoke out against Rush owning a team before all week before today when Goodell relayed their message…
don’t forget that Goodell is also hired by owners, he clearly has his own opinion on things and isn’t just a puppet like some commissioners now and in the past, but he is still hired by the owners, he works for them, they spoke out against Rush before Goodell even said anything…so the NFL didn’t get it wrong…
also Curtis makes a good point, Rush owning an NFL team would be affiliated with the NFL, Olberman works for NBC, the NFL didn’t hire him, plus being on a pre-game show for an hour doesn’t quite equal owning an NFL team…
5:24 am on October 14th, 2009
I agree that if Rush doesn’t have the McNabb moment, today doesn’t happen.
Nobody does anything high profile, on-air without being approved by the the NFL, regardless of the network.
Rush was a perfect example at ESPN!
Remember when the NFL forced the highly-rated Playmakers drama series off ESPN? That’s power. If Olbermann said something wildly offensive to the NFL, he’d be out at Goodell’s behest.
6:43 am on October 14th, 2009
The racists quotes getting publicity wre never made by Limbaugh. They came from Wikipedia… I hope he ties some of these people up in court until their broke and jobless.
The McNabb comment is not racists, but unspoken fact. among many journalists and fans.
Conservatives are the largest of the political groups according to ALL recent polling. What a dumb business move, falling to the feet of Sharpton and Jackson; two of the world’s biggest poverty pimps.
SInce Obama’s been in office, Sharpton’s been neutered. He’s needed an issue to push and collect the much needed donations to support his life style — just like his Imus game.
This is about political pressure, which only gutless cowards like Goodell would cower to. What is Fox News’ Jane Skinner doing married to this fool.
Limbaugh - go buy a NASCAR team.
NFL - continue to maintain your high brow images of steroids, felons, sperm dropping male whores, murderers and wife beaters. Al Davis - high class… Irsay’s pappa in the middle of the night - smooth move.
7:42 am on October 14th, 2009
Dave, I couldn’t agrre more!!! As for KO…he’s always been a dumb ass. He attempts at humor just don’t work. I would turn off the TV and sit in the darkness before I’d watch ANYTHING with him involved. Conservative and proud of it.
8:05 am on October 14th, 2009
Bill Hicks on Rush….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F7Q7BkAbCk
9:41 am on October 14th, 2009
Everyone is perfectly aware of the fact that Limbaugh is racist, sexist, homophobic, and unpatriotic. Any sports league that allows Limbaugh to be an owner is deliberately attacking America.
9:53 am on October 14th, 2009
Limbaughs ratings just went through the roof, while there might be five teams in the NFL that put a superior product on the field. All he wanted to do was make a once great team good again? Yes he was right about Donavan McNabb!” He is mediocre and the Eagles will go no where as long as he is the quarterback,” said Terrell Owens
10:29 am on October 14th, 2009
Hey Dave, Rush Limbaugh has made a living taking quotes out context and flat out making things up. Do you really think he is in any position to sue people about taking his quotes out of context? I’ve listened to a lot of Rush Limbaugh over the years - 100s of hours. Rush is not mischaracterized in the media.
10:44 am on October 14th, 2009
If you draw a line between “racist” and “racially insensitive”, the I’d say Rush is the latter. I don’t think he feels minorities should get less rights, but I do think the way he spoke about McNabb was at the very least, approached poorly. I don’t think he’s alone in feeling McNabb is an overrated quarterback (just walk into any Philly bar on a Sunday).
I’m not a big fan of Rush, but I do think the NFL is getting dangerously close to overstepping their bounds.
11:24 am on October 14th, 2009
Why is it now that who ever it is that tells the truth is a racist. They are now saying that Fox News is racists because they tell tell the truth about everything that goes on. Rush has a right to purchase the football team just as Mark Cuban has a right to purchase a base ball team. Almost every one in the news media is so liberal that they want to have thing go their way not the way on common people that want you do things correctly and right.
11:29 am on October 14th, 2009
Good comments, and he’s also a drug attic, remember the oxy????? HELLO!!!!
11:33 am on October 14th, 2009
I don’t think we would see this type of reaction from the league if Jim Brown were buying a team.
11:37 am on October 14th, 2009
Josh, no one has the “right” to purchase an NFL or MLB franchise, idiot.
11:41 am on October 14th, 2009
Just by reading these comments, it shows why the NFL shouldn’t let him be owner unless he invest more money into a team. What happens when Rush has to comment about a major issue involving the NFL on his radio show? His radio show would be more important than protecting the NFL. It’s not about racist or not, it’s just that he’s bring a lot of uproar, and little money. Risk vs. Reward.
12:12 pm on October 14th, 2009
FINALLY, someone talks about Olberman. Finally!
I grew up watching him on Sportscenter and loved him. He is an absolute D Bag on his political show, though. He should stick to what he is a natural at and what he appears to have fun with - sports shows. Not what Brooks pointed out - fabricated, divisive political commentary. Maybe his credibility would then go back up to many sports viewers.
12:21 pm on October 14th, 2009
Race-baiting, gay-baiting, woman-bashing and blind worship of the right wing are one thing. Getting arrested for drug possession is another. That is why Limbaugh will never be able to buy into an NFL club.
Limbaugh tried to bigfoot his way onto Monday Night Football when it was on ABC. The network politely told him to GTFO — they didn’t want to be shunned by advertisers.
1:50 pm on October 14th, 2009
“Making hundreds of millions of dollars fomenting artificial conflict which does nothing but divide otherwise amiable Americans does not come without consequences.”
Thought you were talking about Olbermann or other ‘journalists’ who never listen to Rush or intentionally mis-characterize his statements…oh that’s right, only Rush has an agenda to increase show ratings for a larger audience.
1:57 pm on October 14th, 2009
i love the what if senerios you rushtards come up with. i am always amazed how this multimillionair can get poor white trash to champion his causes. in closing i would like to say if my aunt has a penis she would be my uncle.
2:07 pm on October 14th, 2009
“i love the what if senerios you rushtards come up with. i am always amazed how this multimillionair can get poor white trash to champion his causes. in closing i would like to say if my aunt has a penis she would be my uncle.”
I’m always amazed how quickly people with no intelligent argument can resort to name-calling and juvenile analogies to ‘make their point’….fail. Keep trying though.
2:26 pm on October 14th, 2009
Rushtards are the stupidest people I’ve ever seen…
as for Playmakers, it had to go, they had a gay player, NFL made the correct decision to get that out…
2:33 pm on October 14th, 2009
The McNabb statement was nothing more than statement of fact. That’s why there was such a witch hunt on Limbaugh. He pointed out who the racsist’s really were and they did’nt like it. I think the comment actually made McNabb step up and has been a very good quarterback since.
2:37 pm on October 14th, 2009
Though I’m a fucking idiot, obviously, because I defend the racist piece of shit, disgrace to America that is Rush Limbaugh, so what do I know…probably nothing…delete my above post please
2:40 pm on October 14th, 2009
They really don’t like being called out do they?! LOL
3:26 pm on October 14th, 2009
Dear Mr. Limbaugh,
Thanks to you, I have decided to step my game up. If it wasn’t for your unecessary race-baiting comments made during a completely inappropriate forum, I would still be a mediocre quarterback. If not for your comments I never would have become the Eagle’s all-time pass leader.
Forever in your debt,
Donovan
3:45 pm on October 14th, 2009
“Making hundreds of millions of dollars fomenting artificial conflict which does nothing but divide otherwise amiable Americans does not come without consequences.” Again, great quote. I’m not sure though that the NFL got it wrong.
The NFL brand decided it doesn’t need the controversy associated with Rush. Case closed. He could be the greatest owner of all time for all we know but his day job of fomenting artificial conflict would always take center stage.
Likewise Rush certainly doesn’t need the NFL.
4:07 pm on October 14th, 2009
I think Goodell did what he had to do,
4:24 pm on October 14th, 2009
“Though I suppose it was inevitable that something like this would happen to Limbaugh. Making hundreds of millions of dollars fomenting artificial conflict which does nothing but divide otherwise amiable Americans does not come without consequences.”
This sentence nails it. Limbaugh can’t have it both ways. You can’t gin up racial anger and say you don’t care what other people think of you (like he did in an interview yesterday) and then complain when the NFL doesn’t want you to be their partner. The NFL hates drama off the field - it interrupts their huge money-making machine. Rush is bad for their business, and we know money talks in the NFL.
4:39 pm on October 14th, 2009
All of the comments about Rush creating racial discourse are just plain ignorant. Anyone ever heard of critical thinking, or do you just follow the herd of misinformation provided by majority of sports writers and celebrities? Seriously, Rush’s comments regarding McNabb was a comment on how the media was showing him favoritism (which was true) and all his critics heard was Rush criticizing a black quarterback.
Is that too difficult to understand? Or is that what you want to believe? Before you become too quick to form opinions on others, why don’t you try listening and then thinking instead of behaving like sheep.
4:48 pm on October 14th, 2009
Call other people sheep when its Rush supporters like you that are classic sheeple…
keep doing and thinking whatever Rush tells you…what a joke, learn how to act…
4:59 pm on October 14th, 2009
“Call other people sheep when its Rush supporters like you that are classic sheeple…
keep doing and thinking whatever Rush tells you…what a joke, learn how to act…”
Great comeback…
5:20 pm on October 14th, 2009
It’s great to be hated! LOL. That just illustrates how close to the truth we really are. The only Sheeple I know are the ones who keep repeating what the vast brain trust on left tells them too.
5:36 pm on October 14th, 2009
I also wear an earing just in my right ear….so take that lefties…
5:54 pm on October 14th, 2009
Can we at least all agree that I’ll never win a Superbowl??
6:41 pm on October 14th, 2009
Since Limbaugh’s bid to be part-owner of the Rams is pretty much over, expect to see some retaliation from the Right.
Now, not even the Right is stupid enough to suggest a NFL Boycott. But if I were Keith Olbermann, I would find a way to gracefully exit the NBC football studio after saying the following last night about a certain Filipina conservative: ” A mashed-up bag of meat with lipstick.”
I’m pretty sure that doesn’t reflect well upon the NFL, or its TV partners.
7:01 pm on October 14th, 2009
Olbermann’s comments did not involve race and more importantly were not said during an NFL related program…
Limbaugh said race related comments during NFL Sunday Countdown…Directly involving the NFL.
There is a HUGE different…
if on Sunday night football on NBC this upcoming Sunday Olbermann while doing the highlights for a Steelers game Keith says “Hines Ward isn’t that tough and has never been an elite receiver, the media just wants a Korean to succeed in the NFL” then he would be let go and if he wanted to own a team down the line there would be backlash…
until that or something similar happens there is ZERO comparison to be made between the two when it comes to the NFL…
7:03 pm on October 14th, 2009
No one is really a fan of Rush especially in one of the most integrated American pastimes.
7:22 pm on October 14th, 2009
Funny how the group that wants to buy the Rams released a statement today and made it very clear that;
“Limbaugh is in no way involved in their bid (anymore) and that he is a distraction and a disgrace and they want to keep the team in St. Louis but can’t do that with him involved because even St. Louis hates Rush Limbaugh because Limbaugh and his followers clearly are anti-American and that’s not what the ownership group represents…”
smart move on their part to distance themselves from Rush, improves their chances of buying the team and improves the chances of the Rams staying in St. Louis…good for everyone, except the people that hate America like Rush Limbaugh and his listeners…
7:27 pm on October 14th, 2009
“Olbermann’s comments did not involve race and more importantly were not said during an NFL related program…”
Whatever your feelings are toward Michelle Malkin, the comment he made last night toward her was quite sexist. And it should be noted that the NFL is continually looking for more female fan involvement, and comments like “a mashed-up bag of meat with lipstick” don’t foster a climate of increased female fan involvement.
Of course, it could be worse: some suit at the NFL, in a lame attempt at piling on conservatives in the wake of this Limbaugh issue, could make a few untoward comments about Sarah Palin.
8:43 pm on October 14th, 2009
I don’t even know who Michelle Malkin is, I hate politics, 95% of people who talk about politics, on TV, or in general conversation, are fucking stupid….
Sports are what matters in the world, not whether your left or right (right = gay in most things)…
and the NFL lost zero female fans due to Olbermann’s alleged comments, NO ONE GIVES A FUCK, if he said it during Sunday Night NFL on NBC then ya, it would be news, otherwise, while he is on his other show that I’ve never watched, whatever he says doesn’t matter in regards to the NFL.
Rush Limbaugh didn’t get dropped by the ownership group because of what he says on his radio show, he got dropped because of what he said on NFL, I repeat, NFL, I repeat again, NFL Sunday Countdown…
idiots…
8:44 pm on October 14th, 2009
Astonishing how little integrity the left has.
9:20 pm on October 14th, 2009
“Rush Limbaugh didn’t get dropped by the ownership group because of what he says on his radio show, he got dropped because of what he said on NFL, I repeat, NFL, I repeat again, NFL Sunday Countdown…
idiots…”
Wow, that’s profound…not. Ok Einstein, what’s your interpretation of what he said (exactly) and I repeat, again, what he said exactly.
9:24 pm on October 14th, 2009
Not my fault you didn’t watch the show and you don’t like sports, very simple search can find exact quote and other quotes from him while he was working with ESPN…
short version;
“McNabb isn’t very good and media hypes him up because they want a Black QB to succeed…”
“NFL looks like a game between crips and bloods without weapons…”
so yes, the NFL players, NFLPA, NFL Owners, Commish, etc…their problem with Rush Limbaugh goes back to the comments he made while on ESPN NFL Sunday Countdown…don’t be an idiot
9:01 am on October 15th, 2009
I’ll type slower this time so you can understand…what’s your interpretation of what he exactly said…this means, what do YOU think he meant by what he said…try not to be an ‘idiot’ this time.
1:24 pm on October 15th, 2009
Good for the league!!!
4:18 am on October 20th, 2009
Though I suppose it was inevitable that something like this would happen to Limbaugh. Making hundreds of millions of dollars fomenting artificial conflict which does nothing but divide otherwise amiable Americans does not come without consequences.