What Was Dan Rooney's Net Worth?
Dan Rooney was an American sports executive who had a net worth of $500 million at the time of his passing on April 13, 2017. Dan Rooney was the son of the legendary founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Art Rooney, and held the positions of president, owner, and chairman in the Steelers organization.
Early Life
Daniel Milton Rooney was born on July 20, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was immediately instilled in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization as a young boy assisting his father at Pitt Stadium and Forbes Field. Dan grew up in the North Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh, attended North Catholic High School, and had success as the team's quarterback. He also spent some time coaching for St. Peter's Elementary School football team. Rooney was lucky to have some impressive names for his mentors, such as Joe Carr, Fran Fogerty, and Ed Kiely. These men all contributed to Dan's knowledge of the football business. He graduated from Duquesne University knowing that, without a doubt, he wanted to pursue football as his lifelong career.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Rooney started out as director of personnel for the Steelers in 1960. By 1969, he had already proven himself by managing every aspect of the team at a high level. Dan was appointed team president in 1975 and given full operational control of the franchise. His father remained with the team until his death in 1988, when Rooney stepped up as a very active owner behind the scenes while mostly avoiding the spotlight.
Dan was credited with helping to end a strike that lasted half the season as a lead negotiator of the Collective Bargaining Agreement of 1982. He was also one of the main driving forces behind the implementation of the salary cap in 1993. The "Rooney Rule" was named after Dan for his efforts in giving minority candidates opportunities and fair shakes at coaching positions and general manager vacancies.
His open and efficient management style contributed to some very successful Steelers teams during his tenure, during which the organization won 15 division championships, eight AFC championships, and an NFL record six Super Bowl victories. Rooney was enshrined in the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor and elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 for his contributions to the game. In 2011, he was named to the Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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Philanthropy & Honors
Rooney was a Founding Chairman of The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania. He was the benefactor of the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature and Vice-Chairman of the American Ireland Fund. Dan was named to the list of most influential individuals in Pennsylvania politics by PoliticsPA in 2002 and became an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2008. In 2009, he won the Jack Horrigan Memorial Award from the Pro Football Writers Association for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do their jobs. In 2016, Dan was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
Personal Life
Dan was married to his wife, Patricia Regan, whom he met while she was working in the Steelers office, for 65 years. The couple had nine children together. Actors Kate and Rooney Mara are Dan's grand-nieces.
Dan was the United States Ambassador to Ireland up until 2012.
Rooney died on April 13, 2017, at the age of 84, and was buried in Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Cemetery in Ross Township, Pennsylvania. Former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State John Kerry attended his funeral.
