Goodell Says Other NFL Owners Might Prefer to See D. Rooney Remain in Charge of Steelers

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters after meeting with the five Rooney brothers about the ownership of the Pittsburgh Steelers today in New York that the league's other franchise owners probably prefer to see Dan Rooney remain in charge of the team.

That's significant because the owners must approve any franchise sale.

Rooney's brothers reportedly have been weighing competing offers from him and billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller, who's interested in buying a majority stake in the franchise.

Each of the Rooneys owns 16 percent of the team. Dan Rooney is one of the league's most influential owners and his son, Art Rooney II, is the club president.

"They've run a model franchise and I think everyone in Pittsburgh recognizes how proud they are of the Steelers, and we in the NFL recognize how fortunate we have been to have Dan Rooney's leadership and now Art's leadership," Goodell said after the meeting, according to the Associated Press.

"That is certainly a consideration--the ownership wants to make sure this team is going to be run consistently with those principles and if Dan Rooney wants an opportunity to continue to run the franchise, I think that's an interest that some of the owners have."

The meeting lasted for 2-1/2 hours and was attended by fellow owners Jerry Richardson of the Carolina Panthers, Tom Benson of the New Orleans Saints and Mike Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals. It took place at the NFL's offices.

Under league rules, any sale must be approved by at least 24 of the 32 teams.

By Mark Maske |  August 26, 2008; 5:12 PM ET  | Category:  Steelers
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