by Matthew Knuth

Created on: October 15, 2009   Last Updated: October 17, 2009

Would you consider Howard Stern for an ownership role? Chances are the majority of you would say no. The main reason may be that the chance of what he would say on air about the NFL was too great a risk. It is any companies right to decide who they would like to do business with. Every company in America has the freedom to select someone based on whether or not they represent their brand and image. Needless to say, Limbaugh clearly was not a proper candidate for ownership.

Limbaugh is extremely popular across the country. Known for his no holds barred view on politics and world issues from an extremely conservative viewpoint. His fame is a direct result of his ability to garner attention, whether good or bad. Controversy is what drives his radio ratings and puts money in his pockets. As recently as 2003, Limbaugh had to resign from a position on NFL Countdown on ESPN for what some considered racially insensitive remarks about Donovan Mcnabb.

The question for the NFL wouldn't be whether or not Limbaugh would make a controversial statement about the league once he was an owner. It's more of a question as too when and how many times he would do it. It is no secret that the NFL goes to great lengths to try and defend it's image. NFL owners are held to a higher standard than any player.

To have an owner who could literally take to the airwaves and criticize a player or organization is a great risk for the league. Especially when those type of statements are what drives his show's success.

It is not a matter of what Limbaugh's personal politics are. It is not even a matter of the fact that he has a political background. Many of the current NFL regime of owners are staunch supporters of major political parties. The difference is, those areas do not cross over to their NFL ownership. I have been watching the NFL for over 20 years now and I have never seen an owner use his NFL status as a platform for political viewpoint.

Could Limbaugh assure us he would not do this? I don't think any of us could honestly say he could. He would change the entire landscape of NFL owners and what role they play within the league. It is a risk that the NFL simply could not take. It is all too likely it would tarnish the image they work very hard to maintain.

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