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Steelers hope marketing agreement leads to regular-season game in Ireland

Joe Rutter
| Thursday, May 25, 2023 3:03 p.m.
Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Fred McAfee (25) is tackled by Chicago Bears defensive back James Burton (35) during the American Bowl in 1997, in Dublin, Ireland.

The only time the Pittsburgh Steelers played a regular-season game outside the United States was in 2013 when they lost to the Minnesota Vikings at London’s Wembley Stadium.

When that drought ends, Ireland would like to throw its hat into the ring as a host country.

At a press conference Thursday in Dublin to hail the team’s marketing agreement with Ireland, Daniel Rooney said that the franchise would like to play a game in the country.

“Our aspirations long-term are to play a game in Ireland,” said Rooney, the team’s director of business development and strategy and son of team president Art Rooney II, on Steelers.com. “As we move through the process, we’ll be evaluating all options.”

Although the Steelers have played just one regular-season international game, they have made several preseason appearances outside the U.S., including a visit to Dublin’s Croke Park in 1997 when they faced the Chicago Bears.

Mexico City has been considered one international destination for the Steelers, who were awarded marketing rights for Mexico a few years ago.

Ireland emerged as a contender when the NFL this week granted the Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars marketing rights to that country as well as Northern Ireland. Ireland has never hosted a regular-season game, but Croke Park seats more than 82,000 people, making it the prime venue for an NFL matchup.

“As if we were back in Pittsburgh, we can do sponsorship deals, we can market, we can build fan engagement, we can host live events, and we can do media deals,” Rooney said. “It’s a unique opportunity that not only allows us to commercialize, but really grow our sport and our brand. The first focus is to bring the Steelers to the people of Ireland. We are going to try to reach all 32 counties.”

Rooney’s grandfather, the late Daniel M. Rooney, was the U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009-12.


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