Art Rooney

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Lore & Background

Rooney grew up in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the eldest of nine children of longtime Steelers chairman Dan Rooney and Patricia Reagan, and the grandson of Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. He attended Gilmour Academy, a private Catholic boarding school in Gates Mills, Ohio, where he played quarterback and was named team captain in 1969. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 1978, he earned his Juris Doctor from Duquesne University in 1982, spending the summer of 1981 studying at the University of Exeter. Rooney recalled his father Dan as dedicated to the Steelers, often absent due to travel and long hours, but making efforts to involve him by bringing him to work on Saturdays and including him in conversations between Dan and Art Rooney Sr. He remembered their frequent advice to "not be a big shot," which influenced his own tenure as team owner.

In Their Own Story

After the 2003 season, the Steelers finished 6-10, their worst record since 1988. Rooney, named team president in May 2003, met with head coach Bill Cowher alongside his father Dan. Cowher recalled that Rooney never interjected his own ideas; instead, he asked Cowher, "what kind of changes do you plan on making?" rather than demand a change. The team then drafted quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in 2004, improved to a 15-1 record, and made their first AFC championship appearance since 2001. Rooney oversaw Super Bowl victories in 2005 (XL) and 2008 (XLIII), plus an additional appearance in Super Bowl XLV in 2010. He also oversaw the head coaching change from Bill Cowher to Mike Tomlin in the 2007 offseason. Despite off-the-field issues with Roethlisberger in 2009 and 2010, Rooney refused to trade him, commenting 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." In January 2025, Rooney declined a trade offer from the Chicago Bears for Tomlin and confirmed he would not fire him.

Reader's Guide

Rooney began his career as vice president and general counsel of the Steelers shortly after college graduation. In 1989, he joined the board of directors. He was named team president in May 2003, with his father serving as chairman while ceasing day-to-day operations. As of the 2024 season, Pittsburgh has a record of 223-131-2 under Rooney's ownership. He serves as chairman of the NFL's Stadium Committee and is on the Legislative Committee, the Management Council Executive Committee, the International Committee, and the Digital Media Committee. Prior to his father's 2017 death, Rooney held at least a 20% stake in the Steelers, with a combination of him and his father owning at least 30%, and he inherited most of his father's share to become majority owner. He is one of only three third-generation owners in the league, the first being John Mara (to whom he is related by marriage) and the second being George McCaskey. After being admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1982, Rooney practiced law for 20 years, concentrating in corporate finance, sports law, and government affairs. He served as a judicial clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals from 2002 to 2003 and holds an Of counsel position with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. He serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Public Theater, Saint Vincent College, the Heinz History Center, and the United Way.

Did You Know?

• Rooney was born on September 14, 1952, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the eldest of nine children.
• He played quarterback at Gilmour Academy and was named team captain in 1969, his senior year.
• Rooney spent the summer of 1981 studying at the University of Exeter before earning his Juris Doctor in 1982.
• He received an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Exeter in September 2024.
• Rooney's eldest son, Daniel Martin Rooney, has been the Director of Business Development & Strategy for the Steelers since 2022.