The Pittsburgh Steelers landed in Dublin yesterday for their second Watch Party at Croke Park, which is another step closer to staging a full-season NFL game at the venue.
Last night was bigger and brassier than a year ago, reflecting the deep roots the Steelers have laid since they were granted Marketing Rights to the island of Ireland and made their debut appearance here as a backroom team in May 2023.
Since then, they have established their own communications channels here, hosted several outreach events with schools and clubs, hosted a business breakfast with Sport for Business and the GAA in April of this year and got Paudie Clifford to announce a draft pick against the backdrop of the Kerry mountains.
“We kind of pack a lot into these trips, making sure to make the most of every minute,” Reagan Berube, the Steelers’ Content, marketing, and Sales Director, told me last night before the Hogan Stand hit fever pitch as the Steelers came back against the Colts to almost continue their perfect start to the season.
Two-time Super Bowl winners James Farrior and Willie Parker were part of the travelling team that has been in Dublin and Newry the past few days and helped fire up the energy last night.
We sat down before the Watch Party with Dan Rooney, a Member of the fabled Steelers ownership family and now the Director of Business Development and Strategy. Inevitably, the first question was whether there was any update on the likelihood of a game coming to Croke Park.
“That question is best served for the NFL. I know that they continue to look at Dublin and Ireland seriously. You’ve heard the commissioner say that recently, coming out of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, so you know, Dublin is in a great position to one day host a game, and as the Steelers, we are very much hoping to be part of that.”
The International Games have been outstanding successes in London, Germany, Mexico, and, this season, for the first time, in Sao Paolo, Brazil. W asked if that success in new cities makes the likelihood of further expansion more real.
“You see sold-out stadiums and the buzz around the city and the country. The international model has worked beautifully for the League. It just builds the excitement you need from a fan base perspective. Seeing your team live is what really makes you a true fan.”
“The League wants to grow the presence abroad; we are moving from four games to what is likely to be eight in the 2025 season.”
“Every time we come to Ireland, the excitement grows. Current players and former players have been part of the travel party and that is a life experience for them that is very special.”
“We made the announcement in May of 2023 and we could not be happier with where we are in that process and where we are going with it.”
We will have more from Dan Rooney, as well as James Farrior and Willie Parker on this week’s Podcast.
The Watch Party last night sold out within minutes. The sport is flying here. Hannah Tyrell and Tomás Quinn were in the room soaking up the atmosphere, as were Richard Shakespeare, CEO of Dublin City Council, Peter McKenna, Alan Milton and Noel Quinn from the GAA, teams from the IDA and Enterprise Ireland highlighting the business importance of the sport, and Henry Hodgson, the CEO of NFL UK and Ireland.
Sky Sports had a corner set aside and did a live insert to their NFL coverage last night. Steelie was working the room, a new string to the bow for Teneo’s Jack McNiece and while the Steelers came up just short on what looked like it was going to be a dramatic comeback, the buzz was a precurso of what seems as though it is getting ever closer to have a first-ever regular season on the pitch rather than just on the big screens.
Sport for Business, in partnership with Allianz, will hold the 2024 Sport for Business Sport for Social Good Conference on Thursday, October 24th. This is one of ten events currently planned for the remainder of 2024.
Register your interest to attend a Sport for Business event here.
The Sport for Business Membership comprises nearly 300 organisations, including all the leading sports and sponsors, as well as commercial and state agencies.
Find out more about joining us today.
