Steelers Granted NFL Marketing Rights To Ireland

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers have been awarded rights to expand their brand and activities for the Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland as part of the NFL's Global Markets Program.

The NFL and Steelers announced the move Tuesday.

The global markets program license permits the Steelers to move forward with corporate sponsorship and merchandise sales, as well as co-marketing relationships throughout Ireland. The Steelers also can coordinate in-person activities such as fan and youth football events.

The Rooney family, which has owned the Steelers since its inception, has strong familial ties to Ireland. Additionally, the late Steelers chairman Dan Rooney served as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland under former President Barack Obama.

"We are excited to have been granted the rights to engage more deeply with our fans in Ireland," Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a release.

"My family has deep roots throughout Ireland and being able to connect with our fans across the Island is something special to our organization. My father did so much in Ireland during his lifetime, first as one of the founders of the Ireland Funds, then as ambassador. We look forward to growing our fan base and the love of American football in the years to come."

The move could lead to the Steelers eventually playing a preseason game across the pond.The Steelers and Chicago Bears played at preseason game in Dublin's Croke Park in 1997; it's the only NFL game to ever be played in England.

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