Rooney Family

The Rooney family has been the majority owners and operators of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania since the formation of the franchise in 1933. Art Rooney was the founder and owner of the team until his death in 1988; ownership of the team was then transferred to Art's and Kathleen McNulty Rooney, his wife's, oldest son, Dan Rooney, a former United States Ambassador to Ireland. In the recent years more of the front office operations have been passed down by Dan Rooney to his son and team president, Art Rooney II.

The family members, who have had the most influence in Steelers matters are:

• Art Rooney, Team Founder
• Dan Rooney, Art's oldest son, current team Chairman
• Art Rooney II, Dan's son, current team President

The Rooneys have been credited for much of the team's success. The fundamental approach of the Rooneys to managing the Steelers has been through patience and consistency, both of which the ownership is continuously given notoriety for. As proof of the team's stability, there have been only three head coaches employed since 1969, by far the fewest number of any team in that time frame. Dan Rooney has made it a requirement for any team interviewing for a new head coach to interview a minority candidate, known as the "Rooney Rule".

The Rooneys are also related to the Mara family which are part-owners of the New York Giants. The Mara family name used to be O'Mara and their Rooney family ancestors originate in Newry, County Down. Actress Rooney Mara is the daughter of Timothy Christopher Mara, the vice president of player evaluation for the New York Giants, and Kathleen McNulty (née Rooney). Her paternal grandfather, Wellington Mara, was the long-time co-owner of the Giants, succeeded by her uncle, John Mara. Her maternal grandfather, Timothy James "Tim" Rooney, has run Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, New York since 1972. Mara is the great-granddaughter of both New York Giants founder Tim Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, Sr.

Other notable Rooney and/or Mara grandchidren of Art and Kathleen Rooney include:

• Kate Mara, actress
• Thomas J. Rooney, United States Congressman