Steelers Owner Colorully Honored: What Ambassador Rooney Means to Steelers

As of Tuesday, March 17, 2009, the 76-year-old Dan Rooney was appointed Ambassador to Ireland by President Barack Obama. Rooney, the son of Steelers' founder Arthur J. Rooney, has been majorly involved with Ireland with maybe his biggest un-NFL achievement: the co-founder of the American Ireland Fund.

Rooney was an Obama campaign supporter during the election by funding the Pennsylvania Primary and helped Obama throughout western Pennsylvania.

Though praise should be given, the franchise needs to consider the outcome of this before total jubilation for their owner.

During the 2008 offseason, Dan Rooney spent the entire summer dispelling Stanley Druckenmiller, the 55-year-old hedge fund manager who attempted to buy the team.

Rooney, a 16 percent owner at the time, proceeded to buyout his other four brothers to own 80 percent of the team. Another Pittsburgh family, the McGinleys, own the other 20 percent. Rooney paid an estimated $750 million to give almost complete control to him and his son, Art Rooney II, who is president of the team.

However, with Dan serving as ambassador, Art II will take hold of the reigns in the front office, and one has to wonder what is to come of the team.

Dan and Art II bought out the other brothers to keep the franchise in the state it was in because the other brothers were more inclined to sell the team to Druckenmiller.

With Dan as the Irish Ambassador, more front office changes might come about to where Patrick Rooney or Art Jr. might retain some control of the franchise.

The Rooney's are already not a big hit among the middle class and working class of the Steel City, and messing with their team wouldn't make it better.

What's to come of the franchise in the future?

Nothing is sure for now. We just have to sit back and cross our fingers.