Rooney family

The Rooneys are primarily known for having been the majority owners and operators of the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL) since the formation of the franchise in 1933.

This approach has proven to be rewarding, given that the Steelers have won six Super Bowls in the post AFL–NFL merger era – with all three coaches (Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin) having won at least one Super Bowl and two AFC championships apiece – and the team being a playoff contender in most years.

Dan Rooney's influence as chairman of the league's diversity committee made it a requirement for any team seeking a new head coach to include an interview with at least one ethnic minority candidate during that process.

Dan Rooney, chairman, stated that his four brothers are moving towards other non-football-related business ventures and he is in talks with them to buy out their shares.

The four brothers' ventures with family race tracks that allow slot machines violate NFL rules of ownership with revenue from gambling enterprises.

NFL owners unanimously approved the restructuring of ownership on December 17, 2008, after Dan & Art II obtained the mandated 30% stake via negotiations.

The Steelers later announced on March 23, 2009, that they added three more investors to the team, the most notable of which is Hall of Fame wide receiver John Stallworth.

The other two investors added were GTCR chairman Bruce V. Rauner and the Varischetti Family of Brockway, Pennsylvania, which owns several nursing homes and a commercial real estate business.

The Rooney Family are six-time Super Bowl winners as the owners of the Steelers. Dan Rooney (left) is shown here with President George W. Bush (right) after winning his family's fifth Lombardi Trophy in 2006.
Dan Rooney was named an honorary CBE in 2008 (left), while Rep. Tom Rooney received two Army Commendation Medals during his stint in the U.S. Army (right)