It’s only speculation at this point, but conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh could be a viable candidate to buy the [intlink id=”35″ type=”category”]Minnesota Vikings[/intlink].
The catch is Limbaugh would probably relocate the team to Los Angeles.
The Vikings are trying to get the state of Minnesota to cough up money for a new stadium and haven’t had much luck yet. The state is facing an $5 billion budget deficit and the public is overwhelmingly against ponying up state funds for a new home for the team. When the legislative session ended Monday night, a stadium was the last thing on most politicians minds, since the budget still hasn’t been ironed out.
A special session will be required to handle that task and it’s unclear whether the Vikings will be anything more than an afterthought at that time.
Enter Limbaugh, who interviewed former Minnesota Gov. and current presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, earlier this week. Limbaugh asked Pawlenty about the possibility of the Vikings moving if a new stadium isn’t built.
“The rumor is you’re gonna buy ’em and move ’em. Is that true?” Pawlenty asked.
(laughing) “Well, uh, this interview is about you,” Limbaugh said. (laughing)
Limbaugh was part of a group that tried to buy the [intlink id=”554″ type=”category”]St. Louis Rams[/intlink] in 2009 and was eventually dropped because of negative publicity.
A Limbaugh-Vikings marriage isn’t entirely far-fetched. Current Vikings owner Zygi Wilf has pledged not to move the team, but if he doesn’t get a new stadium, he’ll probably sell. What the new owners do with the franchise is up to them.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles is a football city waiting to happen. AEG, which owns the Lakers’ and Clippers’ home — the Staples Center, has pledged to build a stadium downtown with private funds once the city lands a team. They’ve already sold the naming rights to Farmers Insurance.