Monday, July 14, 2008

The Steelers are in trouble

I would like to advise you that due to vacations, out of country travels, and book projects, this column will be interrupted or in short versions for a the next month or so.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most storied franchises in sports is in deep ownership trouble! The team which was garnered by Art Rooney for only $2500 back in the 1930s was split up between the Rooney children, with the four brothers sharing ownership. Some of the brothers apparently have gone into other businesses which are not in line with the current NFL rules of ownership. How the dust falls soon will determine if the Rooney family continues to have control of the team.

I have personally sat in the Rooney box with a few of the family members, including a couple of the brothers. There are classy people who follow their dad’s dream. Art Rooney never forgot where he came from and ran the business with the local fans in mind. It is a business as everyone is aware of, but it is cut from a higher and more elegant cloth than the rest of the teams in the NFL in my opinion.

I think that the problem can be sorted out if the ‘put the fans first’ philosophy is maintained … if not, and it is pure business, the team will lose its soul.



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Go this site for a more complete story about the issue:

http://www.tribune.ie/business/article/2008/jul/13/irish-family-fight-to-keep-steelers-legacy/

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

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