NFLPA Report Card: Players Fried Art Rooney II, Owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers
The NFL Players’ Association has released its yearly poll regarding working conditions for all 32 teams in the league. A few of the findings are unexpected.
The most notable of these is the extremely low rating given to Art Rooney II, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since the team’s founding in 1933, the Rooney family has controlled the franchise and was regarded as one of the best ownership groups in the league.
It goes without saying that is no longer the case. The Rooneys received an astounding failing grade of F.
The environment surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers must be shocked by that. Over the years, the franchise has taken great satisfaction in its outstanding ownership. In addition, the league was noted for having a family-like atmosphere.
Clearly, that is no longer the case. The players’ opinion of the franchise was negative, with the exception of the evaluation given to longstanding head coach Mike Tomlin.
Indeed, the grievances expressed by Steelers players are quite reasonable. To put it plainly, they are the kinds of things that need to be attended to for a $5 billion franchise.
Regarding ownership, athletes are dissatisfied with what they see to be inadequate training facilities and possibilities. All things considered, money must be spent to solve these issues.
The problem stems from the fact that they share a team facility in a densely populated Pittsburgh neighbourhood with the Pitt Panthers. There is just not much, if any, space below for expansion. To provide its players with the contemporary amenities they need, the Steelers may need to relocate their current facility from the city’s South Side.
In the end, the Rooney family had a bad day, and it will be interesting to see how the Steelers react.
