.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 | |
| High school: | Gilmour Academy |
| College: | University of Pittsburgh (B.A), University of Exeter, Duquesne University (J.D.) |
| Career history | |
As a staff member / executive: | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| As president: | |
Arthur Joseph Rooney II (born September 14, 1952) is an American professionalfootball executive and lawyer who is the owner and president of thePittsburgh Steelers of theNational Football League (NFL).[1]
A member of theRooney family, he helped oversee the team'sSuper Bowl XL andSuper Bowl XLIII victories in 2005 and 2008 respectively. He also serves on several NFL committees and inherited a majority stake in the Steelers after his fatherDan Rooney’s death in 2017. Outside of football, Rooney has a legal background and is actively involved in community organizations in Pittsburgh.
Arthur Joseph Rooney II was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the eldest of nine children of Patricia (Reagan) and longtime Steelers chairmanDan Rooney,[2] and the grandson of Steelers founder "the Chief",Art Rooney, Sr. He grew up inMount Lebanon and attendedGilmour Academy, a private catholic boarding school inGates 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 theUniversity of Pittsburgh in 1978 with aB.A. inPolitical Science.[4] He then attendedDuquesne University’s School of Law. During his time at the university he spent the summer of 1981 studying atUniversity of Exeter before earning hisJ.D. degree in 1982.[5][4][6]
Rooney began his career serving as vice president and general counsel of thePittsburgh 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 andSuper Bowl XLIII in 2008 as well as an additional appearance inSuper Bowl XLV in 2010. Rooney also oversaw the head coaching change fromBill Cowher toMike Tomlin in the 2007 offseason. Uncommon for an NFL franchise owner, Rooney's only business venture has been with the Steelers as he was alawyer 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 quarterbackBen 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 theChicago 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 beingJohn 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 actressesRooney Mara andKate Mara.)
After being admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1982, Rooney spent the next 20 years practicing law. His legal practice has concentrated in the areas of corporate finance, sports law and government affairs. Rooney served as a judicial clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals from 2002 until 2003.[13] He currently holds anOf Counsel position with the law firm Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney. He is active in thePittsburgh community, devoting a substantial amount of his time to various organizations. He currently serves on the boards of thePittsburgh Public Theater,[14]Saint Vincent College,[15] theHeinz History Center[16] and theUnited Way of America.[17]
Rooney married Greta (Kimball) Rooney on July 13, 1985, in Pittsburgh.[18] 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.[19] As of 2025, Rooney and his family reside in Pittsburgh for much of the year, while maintaining a second residence inPalm Beach, Florida.[20]
In September 2024, Rooney received an Honorary Doctorate in Law from theUniversity of Exeter in theUnited Kingdom for his achievements in sports and business.[6]