Art Rooney II

For his uncle, the team's vice president, see Art Rooney Jr.

Art Rooney II
refer to caption
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]

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

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]

References

  1. ^ "Front Office Staff | Pittsburgh Steelers". Steelers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c "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.