Editorial: Limbaugh may be poor NFL owner, but has right to it

Rush Limbaugh wants to buy the St. Louis Rams. Actually, he’s part of a group that is bidding for the football team. A native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Limbaugh has said before that owning an NFL team is a dream of his. The current owners of the Rams haven’t even said they want to sell the team, just that they would entertain bids, which are expected to be somewhere around $700 to $750 million.

Limbaugh’s interest has been met with angry opposition. Limbaugh could be bad for the NFL and the St. Louis Rams. His views are most often controversial and would more than likely clash with many on his would-be payroll.

But dislike for a person’s points of view and disdain for a person’s hideous comments in the past should in no way prevent them from purchasing whatever they desire, in this case a professional football franchise.

However, Limbaugh’s desire to purchase what once was a competitive franchise — unless this truly is a publicity stunt — has hit roadblocks not from his checking account, but instead from those who don’t like him.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who ultimately reigns supreme in the league and has proven to be a strong leader, can put his foot down and deny Limbaugh’s attempt. But wouldn’t that be like an automotive executive refusing to allow a man from purchasing an Explorer at a Ford dealership?

And, on cue, rushes the Rev. Al Sharpton to the scene lobbying for anyone and everyone to thumb their noses at Limbaugh’s alleged purchase. He wrote a letter to Goodell requesting a meeting with him to “discuss the myriad of reasons” why he should not be the owner.

Limbaugh hasn’t been anything short of divisive, when speaking of NFL players, particularly Eagles quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick. Such comments should be met with disdain and those who oppose his views should not listen to his radio shows or refrain from stations that sell advertisements on those shows.

It is not certain the Rams are for sale, and even then, there’s a strong likelihood the Rams would have many other suitors.

Just as Limbaugh has the right to speak his mind, regardless of how controversial, others have a right to respond. If he suffers consequences for his comments, so be it. The First Amendment gives everyone the right to speak and says government shouldn’t stop a person from speaking. It does not say that there should be no other consequences for comments or that anyone has the right to say anything at any time.

But preventing a person from making a purchase based on their views is distorted in itself. We should not begin to travel that dark road.