Report: Limbaugh to be dropped from Rams ownership bid

Rush Limbaugh will likely be dropped from a group bidding to buy the St. Louis Rams NFL franchise, ESPN is reporting.

The announcement comes as NFL officials and members of Congress indicated opposition to the conservative radio host's interview due to controversial remarks he made about Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb as an NFL analyst in 2003.

Dave Checketts, chairman of the NHL's St. Louis Blues and head of the potential ownership group, had realized he must remove Limbaugh as a minority stakeholder in order to his bid to gain the NFL's approval, three unnamed NFL sources told ESPN.

The sources did not indicate exactly when Limbaugh would be dropped, but some familiar with the matter said the move could happen within the week.

Congressional Black Caucus chairwoman Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) on Tuesday called Limbaugh "divisive" on the House floor for his comments about McNabb, who is black. Limbaugh brushed back Jackson Lee on his show today, saying she "made a fool of herself " and said she was "spreading lies" about his comments.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), another CBC member, told The Hill previously that he did not oppose Limbaugh's bid and said it might encourage the struggling Rams to play better.

Several league owners, the NFL Players Association, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that Checketts' bid might be disqualified from consideration due to Limbaugh's comments about McNabb, in which he said "the media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well."