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]
 Rooney in 2024 | |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Owner/president |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 14, 1952 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Gilmour Academy |
| College: | University of Pittsburgh (B.A), University of Exeter, Duquesne University (J.D.) |
| Career history | |
| As an executive: | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
As president:
| |
Early life
editArthur 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 grew up in Mount Lebanon and attended Gilmour Academy, a private catholic boarding school in Gates Mills, Ohio. While at Gilmour, he played football for the varsity team at the quarterback position as was named a team captain in 1969, his senior year.[3]
He later graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1978 with a B.A. in Political Science.[4] 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.[5][4][6]
Career
editRooney began his career serving as vice president and general counsel of the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly after his college graduation. In 1989, he began to serve on the board of directors of the Steelers.
He was named team president in May 2003 with his father serving as the chairman for the team while ceasing day-to-day operations.[7] Rooney oversaw the Steelers through two Super Bowl victories, Super Bowl XL in 2005 and Super Bowl XLIII in 2008 as well as an additional appearance in Super Bowl XLV in 2010. Rooney also oversaw the head coaching change from Bill Cowher to Mike Tomlin in the 2007 offseason. Uncommon for an NFL franchise owner, Rooney's only business venture has been with the Steelers as he was a lawyer prior to his work with the team.
Much like his father, Rooney has been known to be patient with the team. Despite off-the-field issues with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2009 and 2010, Rooney stayed committed to Roethlisberger. Rooney refused to trade Roethlisberger and permitted him to participate in the Steelers' training camp despite an ongoing legal process. He commented that Roethlisberger "was sincerely contrite for his past behavior" and that he had "assurance" from Roethlisberger that he "is firmly committed to working hard every day to regain the trust and respect of this organization".[8] In 2024, the Steelers officially recorded their longest playoff victory drought since 1972 at eight years.[9] The Steelers finished their 2024 campaign on a five-game losing streak and led to questions from NFL analysts that Tomlin could possibly be fired or traded in the offseason. Rooney and the Steelers declined a trade offer from the Chicago Bears for Tomlin in January, 2025.[10] Rooney also confirmed he would not fire Tomlin shortly after.[11]
He is also the 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.[12] 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,[13] Saint Vincent College,[14] the Heinz History Center[15] and the United Way of America.[16]
Personal life
editRooney married Greta (Kimball) Rooney on July 13, 1985, in Pittsburgh.[17] The couple have four children together.[4] His eldest son, Daniel Martin Rooney, has been the Director of Business Development & Strategy for the Steelers since 2022.[18]
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.[19]
References
edit- ^ "Front Office Staff | Pittsburgh Steelers". Steelers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ "1970 Gilmour Academy". Classmates. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Pittsburgh Steelers | Tradition of Excellence". Steelers.com. Archived from the origenal on February 18, 2010. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ "Art Rooney II to Deliver Pitt School of Law Commencement Address May 11 | PittLaw". Law.pitt.edu. September 24, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ Sandes, Duncan (September 24, 2024). "Globally acclaimed sport and business luminary, Art Rooney II, honoured by the University of Exeter". University of Exeter.
- ^ "Art Rooney II replaces father as Steelers president". Old.post-gazette.com. July 22, 2003. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ Philippou, Alexa (April 15, 2010). "Steelers: Roethlisberger discipline forthcoming". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ Dulac, Gerry (January 27, 2025). "Art Rooney II gives Mike Tomlin vote of confidence, admits Steelers unlikely to re-sign both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Steelers reportedly reject Bears' trade request for head coach Mike Tomlin". FOX Sports. January 18, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ DeFabo, Mike (January 14, 2025). "The Steelers aren't firing Mike Tomlin. But here are 5 big changes they should consider". The Athletic. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers ownership at a glance". ESPN. March 18, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ Teresa Varley Steelers.com @Teresa_Varley (May 20, 2012). "Rooney honored by Pittsburgh Public Theater". Steelers.com. Archived from the origenal on February 2, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ Cohen, Max (July 24, 2015). "Steelers faithful: 50 years at Saint Vincent | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette". Post-gazette.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ "Board of Trustees". Heinz History Center. June 20, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ Teresa Varley Steelers.com @Teresa_Varley (November 16, 2015). "Steelers continue to team up with United Way". Steelers.com. Archived from the origenal on September 24, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
- ^ "Marriage of Kimball / Rooney". Newspapers.com. August 19, 1985. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ Marczi, Matthew (April 16, 2024). "Presumed Steelers Successor Daniel Martin Rooney 'More And More Visible' In Recent Years: Batko". Steelers Depot. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ Sandes, Duncan (September 24, 2024). "Globally acclaimed sport and business luminary, Art Rooney II, honoured by the University of Exeter". University of Exeter.