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Steelers open to international game
Published: May 22, 2015
By F. Dale Lolley
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin points from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
The Steelers are interested in playing another regular season game abroad, with team president Art Rooney pointing at Mexico as a possible destination.
Rooney told the team’s web site Friday he’d welcome the opportunity for the Steelers to play another international game after the success – at least off the field – of the team’s trip to London two years ago.
“We would love to play another game in Mexico at some point,” said Rooney, referring to a preseason game the Steelers played in Mexico City in 2000 against Indianapolis.
“That part of taking NFL football to another country is something in which we have a keen interest. The Steelers are interested in the other international games as well, and so there’s a lot of activity going on.
There’s a lot of interest in NFL football around the world, and we’re just trying to keep developing that.”
The Steelers traveled to London in 2013 to play Minnesota at Wembley Stadium, losing 34-27. But the team had a good experience with the game, which drew 83,518.
Pittsburgh has a long history of playing international games, starting with a 1960 exhibition against the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
In recent years, the team has played preseason games in Montreal, Barcelona, Dublin, Tokyo and Toronto.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this week the NFL would like to expand its international regular season schedule, which has included games in London the past few years.
“Particularly in Germany, we know there is some interest in playing a game over there,” Goodell said. “We knoew there is a renewed interest in playing a game in Mexico – a regular season game. There’s been some interest in playing a Pro Bowl in Rio de Janeiro. We are going to evaluate all of those.”
Rooney, who is a member of the league’s International Committee, said he expects games to be held in Mexico and Germany in the next five years. He also said it makes sense for the league to put games in those countries that pit teams against each other that already have established fan bases there.
The Steelers have a strong following in Mexico.
“That would be a consideration, and there are a few teams that have a strong following in Mexico.” Rooney said. “The Dallas Cowboys have a strong following in Mexico, but the Steelers are a little unusual in terms of being popular in Mexico, because we’re from the northern part of the United States. Most of the other teams with a following in Mexico are located closer to the border.”
[URL]http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20150522/SPORTS04/150529773[/URL]
Published: May 22, 2015
By F. Dale Lolley
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin points from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
The Steelers are interested in playing another regular season game abroad, with team president Art Rooney pointing at Mexico as a possible destination.
Rooney told the team’s web site Friday he’d welcome the opportunity for the Steelers to play another international game after the success – at least off the field – of the team’s trip to London two years ago.
“We would love to play another game in Mexico at some point,” said Rooney, referring to a preseason game the Steelers played in Mexico City in 2000 against Indianapolis.
“That part of taking NFL football to another country is something in which we have a keen interest. The Steelers are interested in the other international games as well, and so there’s a lot of activity going on.
There’s a lot of interest in NFL football around the world, and we’re just trying to keep developing that.”
The Steelers traveled to London in 2013 to play Minnesota at Wembley Stadium, losing 34-27. But the team had a good experience with the game, which drew 83,518.
Pittsburgh has a long history of playing international games, starting with a 1960 exhibition against the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
In recent years, the team has played preseason games in Montreal, Barcelona, Dublin, Tokyo and Toronto.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said earlier this week the NFL would like to expand its international regular season schedule, which has included games in London the past few years.
“Particularly in Germany, we know there is some interest in playing a game over there,” Goodell said. “We knoew there is a renewed interest in playing a game in Mexico – a regular season game. There’s been some interest in playing a Pro Bowl in Rio de Janeiro. We are going to evaluate all of those.”
Rooney, who is a member of the league’s International Committee, said he expects games to be held in Mexico and Germany in the next five years. He also said it makes sense for the league to put games in those countries that pit teams against each other that already have established fan bases there.
The Steelers have a strong following in Mexico.
“That would be a consideration, and there are a few teams that have a strong following in Mexico.” Rooney said. “The Dallas Cowboys have a strong following in Mexico, but the Steelers are a little unusual in terms of being popular in Mexico, because we’re from the northern part of the United States. Most of the other teams with a following in Mexico are located closer to the border.”
[URL]http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20150522/SPORTS04/150529773[/URL]
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