Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers Minority Owner John Rooney Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA — John Rooney, the brother of Steelers founder Art Rooney and a former minority owner of the team, has died.

Rooney's death was announced Tuesday, the same day as public viewing was held at Acrisure Stadium for Steelers Hall-of-Fame running back Franco Harris. He died last week at the age of 72.

The announcement of Rooney's death came from the New York Giants. The Rooney family has familial ties to the Mara family, which owns a stake in the Giants.

John Rooney was the brother of former Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, and the uncle of current Steelers president Art Rooney II.

In 2015, John Rooney sold all but a 1 percent share of his ownership of the franchise, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately available Wednesday.