The Pittsburgh Steelers “would love” to play an NFL game in Ireland in the future, says director of business development and strategy Dan Rooney.
An NFL regular-season game has never taken place in Ireland, but the Steelers faced the Chicago Bears in a pre-season game in Croke Park in 1997.
The Aviva Stadium in Dublin has also hosted college football games in recent years.
“It’s been a goal from the beginning, to be able to take advantage of the opportunity to play a live game in front of Irish fans,” said Rooney, speaking to BBC Sport NI at the Steelers’ training ground in Belfast.
“We are working with the NFL on this and look forward to seeing what’s next.”
‘Exciting future ahead’
The NFL has been expanding across Europe in recent years with three teams – the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars – scheduled to play games in London during the 2024 season, while the Carolina Panthers will play in Germany.
A feasibility study for further expansion across Europe – including Dublin – has begun and Rooney added that while he would “love” to bring the Steelers to Ireland, it is ultimately up to the NFL.
“We are awaiting some of their discoveries and told them we would love to come to the island to play sometime.
“It’s an exciting future ahead. It would be special no matter where we played.
“Croke Park hosted the event in 1997 and it’s a special place, but it’s really in the hands of the NFL.”
Rooney says “we see appetite for our game” in Ireland and added the emergence of Charlie Smyth through the NFL’s International Player Path (IPP) program helped develop the sport.
Former Down GAA goalkeeper Smyth has signed for the New Orleans Saints as a kicker after impressing in IPP trials.
“We saw the Gaelic football players and the talented legs they have,” said Rooney, adding that it was “exciting” to have international players challenging to make the NFL roster.
“The fact that boys and girls grow up kicking a ball helps with the transition to kicking in American football.
“So it’s really impressive in that regard.”
