Art Rooney II

Last updated

Art Rooney II
Art Rooney II SEPT2024 (cropped).png
Rooney in 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers
Position:Owner/president
Personal information
Born: (1952-09-14) September 14, 1952 (age 72)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Career information
College: University of Pittsburgh (B.A),
University of Exeter,
Duquesne University (J.D.)
Career history
As an executive:
  • President (2003–present)
  • Owner (2017–present)
Career highlights and awards
As president:

Arthur Joseph Rooney II (born September 14, 1952) is an American professional football executive and lawyer who is the owner and president of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). [1]

Contents

Early life

Arthur Joseph Rooney II was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the eldest of nine children of Patricia (Reagan) and longtime Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, [2] and the grandson of Steelers founder “The Chief”, Art Rooney, Sr. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978 with a B.A. in Political Science. [3] He then attended Duquesne University’s School of Law. During his time at the university he spent the summer of 1981 studying at University of Exeter before earning his J.D. degree in 1982. [4] [3] [5]

Career

Rooney in 2012 ArtRooneyII closeup.jpg
Rooney in 2012

Rooney was named team president in May 2003. [6] Prior to that, he served as vice president and general counsel of the Steelers, and has served on the board of directors of the Steelers since 1989. He is chairman of the NFL's Stadium Committee, and is on numerous NFL boards, including the Legislative Committee, the Management Council Executive Committee, the International Committee and the Digital Media Committee. [7] Prior to his father's 2017 death, Rooney II held at least a 20% stake in the Steelers franchise, with a combination of him and his father owning at least 30% [2] and was in line to inherit most of the share Dan Rooney held, which would make Rooney II the majority owner of the team.[ citation needed ] He is one of only two third-generation owners in the league, the other being John Mara, to whom he is related by marriage. (Mara's brother is married to Rooney's sister, and Rooney is the first cousin once removed of actresses Rooney Mara and Kate Mara.)

He currently holds an Of Counsel position with the law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. He is active in the Pittsburgh community, devoting a substantial amount of his time to various organizations. He currently serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Public Theater, [8] Saint Vincent College, [9] the Heinz History Center [10] and the United Way of America. [11]

Personal life

Rooney is married to Greta and the couple have four children together. [3]

In September 2024, Rooney received an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom for his achievements in sports and business. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Steelers</span> National Football League franchise in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) North division. Founded in 1933, the Steelers are the seventh-oldest franchise in the NFL, and the oldest franchise in the AFC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acrisure Stadium</span> American football stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Acrisure Stadium, formerly known as Heinz Field, is a football stadium located in the North Shore neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It primarily serves as the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) and the Pittsburgh Panthers of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The stadium opened in 2001 as Heinz Field, following the controlled implosion of the teams' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium. In 2021, the owners of the Heinz name, now owned by Kraft Heinz declined to renew the stadium's naming rights. The City of Pittsburgh green-lit Acrisure's bid to purchase the rights in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Art Rooney</span> American football player, executive, and owner (1901–1988)

Arthur Joseph Rooney Sr., often referred to as "the Chief", was an American professional football executive. He was the founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football franchise in the National Football League (NFL), from 1933 until his death. Rooney is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was an Olympic qualifying boxer, and was part or whole owner in several track sport venues and Pittsburgh area pro teams. He was the first president of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1933 to 1974, and the first chairman of the team from 1933 to 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan M. Rooney</span> American football executive/owner, philanthropist and diplomat (1932–2017)

Daniel Milton Rooney was an American professional football executive and diplomat best known for his association with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL), and son of the Steelers' founder, Art Rooney. He held various roles within the organization, most notably as president, owner and chairman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walt Kiesling</span> American football player and coach (1903–1962)

Walter Andrew Kiesling was an American professional football guard and coach who spent 36 years in the National Football League (NFL). He was posthumously inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966 and was named to the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steagles</span> Temporary 1943 NFL team season

The Steagles, officially known as the Phil-Pitt Combine, was the team created by the temporary merger of Pennsylvania's two National Football League (NFL) teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Philadelphia Eagles, during the 1943 season. The two franchises were compelled to field a single combined team because both had lost many players to military service during World War II. The league's official record book refers to the team as the "Phil-Pitt Combine", but the unofficial and aliterate variation of the "Steagles", despite never being registered by the NFL, has become the enduring moniker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steeler Nation</span> Term for fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers

Steeler Nation is an official name for the fan base of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers. The term was coined by NFL Films narrator John Facenda in the team's 1978 highlights film. Steelers Country is often used for the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area where the fan base originates or for areas with a large Steelers fan base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Mara</span> American actress (born 1983)

Kate Rooney Mara is an American actress. She is known for her work in television, playing reporter Zoe Barnes in the Netflix political drama House of Cards, computer analyst Shari Rothenberg in the Fox thriller series 24 (2006), wronged mistress Hayden McClaine in the FX miniseries American Horror Story: Murder House (2011), Patty Bowes in the first season of the FX drag ball culture drama series Pose (2018), and a teacher who begins an illicit relationship with an underage student in the FX miniseries A Teacher (2020). For the latter, she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best New Scripted Series as an executive producer.

Card-Pitt was the team created by the temporary merger of two National Football League (NFL) teams, the Chicago Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, during the 1944 season. It was the second such merger for the Steelers, who had combined with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943 to form the "Steagles". The arrangement was made necessary by there being a shortage of numerous players due to World War II military service, and was dissolved upon completion of the season. The war ended before the start of the 1945 season, and both teams resumed normal operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Warren (American football)</span> American football player (born 1981)

Gregory Robert Warren is an American former professional football long snapper. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in after the 2005 NFL draft.

The Rooney family is an Irish-American family known for its connections to the sports, acting, and political fields. After emigrating from Ireland in the 1840s, it established its American roots in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1880s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Canada</span> American football coach (born 1972)

Matthew Canada is an American football coach who most recently served as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Maryland, LSU, Pittsburgh, NC State, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Butler, and Indiana.

Quadree Khalid Henderson is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers.

The Pennsylvania Polka refers to a series of moves affecting the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers franchises in the National Football League (NFL) from 1940 to 1941.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chukwuma Okorafor</span> Nigerian American football player (born 1997)

Chukwuma Okorafor is a Nigerian professional American football offensive tackle for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Western Michigan Broncos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony McFarland Jr.</span> American football player (born 1998)

Anthony McFarland Jr. is an American professional football running back. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Brooks</span> American football player (born 1997)

Antoine Brooks Jr. is an American professional football safety for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Maryland and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Dotson (American football)</span> American football player (born 1996)

Kevin Dotson is an American professional football offensive guard for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Pickett</span> American football player (born 1998)

Kenneth Shane Pickett is an American professional football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers, where he won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as a senior, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Leglue</span> American football player (born 1996)

John Wagner Leglue is an American professional football guard and offensive tackle. He played college football at Tulane.

References

  1. ↑ "Front Office Staff | Pittsburgh Steelers". Steelers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Bouchette, Ed (February 28, 2016). "Breaking the huddle, some Rooneys ready to give up shares in Steelers | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Pittsburgh Steelers | Tradition of Excellence". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2010. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Art Rooney II to Deliver Pitt School of Law Commencement Address May 11 | PittLaw". Law.pitt.edu. September 24, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  5. ↑ Sandes, Duncan (September 24, 2024). "Globally acclaimed sport and business luminary, Art Rooney II, honoured by the University of Exeter". University of Exeter.
  6. ↑ "Art Rooney II replaces father as Steelers president". Old.post-gazette.com. July 22, 2003. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Pittsburgh Steelers ownership at a glance". ESPN. March 18, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  8. ↑ Teresa Varley Steelers.com @Teresa_Varley (May 20, 2012). "Rooney honored by Pittsburgh Public Theater". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  9. ↑ Cohen, Max (July 24, 2015). "Steelers faithful: 50 years at Saint Vincent | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Board of Trustees". Heinz History Center. June 20, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  11. ↑ Teresa Varley Steelers.com @Teresa_Varley (November 16, 2015). "Steelers continue to team up with United Way". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  12. ↑ Sandes, Duncan (September 24, 2024). "Globally acclaimed sport and business luminary, Art Rooney II, honoured by the University of Exeter". University of Exeter.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.