Romney: ‘I’ve Got A Lot Of Good Friends’ Who Are NFL Team Owners

By Alex Seitz-Wald/Think Progress

Late last month, Mitt Romney was the butt of many jokes after he said that although he is not a huge NASCAR fan, “I have some great friends that areNASCAR team owners.” But Romney’s friends are more diverse than just car racing owners — they include professional football team owners as well.

Appearing on Alabama sports commentator Paul Finebaum’s radio show this afternoon, Romney was asked about which team he thinks quarterback Peyton Manning will sign with. Romney said he wasn’t sure, but noted that he has some very good friends who own NFL teams:

FINEBAUM: You are a Patriots fan, I know that you’ve had a lot of support from that family. Having said that, the most coveted free agent in NFL history is Peyton Manning. I know you want him somewhere away from New England, where do you think he ought to go?

ROMNEY: Well, you know I’m surprised to hear that Denver’s thinking about him, they’re — I don’t want him in our neck of the woods, lets put it that way, I don’t want him to go to Miami or to the Jets. But I’ve got a lot of good friends, the owner Miami Dolphins, and the New York Jets — both owners are friends of mine. But let’s keep him away from New England, so that Tom Brady has a better shot of picking up a championship for us.

Watch it:

Indeed, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross hosted a high-dollar fundraiser for Romney in June. New York Jets owner Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV also gave the maximum $2,500 to Romney’s campaign and another $5,000 to his leadership PAC.