The Steelers and the NFL had a great time playing in Ireland this season, featuring an important win over the Vikings in Dublin. Everybody except for Skylar Thompson, at least, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the experience, including the accommodations. And the NFL did well in terms of ratings and all the fun stuff involved in business, so you can guess where this is going.
It’s Super Bowl week, and that means Commissioner Roger Goodell is fielding questions. Asked about the Steelers’ game in Ireland and when the NFL will return, he spoke glowingly of the entire enterprise. It’s always fun to make a bunch of money, especially when you can do it in a new market.
“We did have a wonderful time, and I think both clubs had a great time. I think our fans had a spectacular time”, Goodell said of the Steelers’ game in Ireland. “I think one of the things about that game that stands out to me is that it felt like the entire island was in support of this. And I think that game had more people come from the States for an international game than any game in our history of the international series. I think that’s a tribute to Ireland.
“The absolute answer is we will be back. I would guess that we’ll be back in a few years. We’ve got to work with the officials on when that happens, but I would expect that to happen. And that’s our intention”.
The Steelers, owned by the Irish Rooney family, were very keen to play in Ireland in the regular season. They have a rich history with the country, particularly the late Dan Rooney, who served as U.S. ambassador there. That doesn’t mean that Pittsburgh will be the next team to play there, of course.
In addition to Ireland, the Steelers also have a built-in fan base in Mexico. That would seem on the surface to be the logical destination for their next international game. All teams are now required to play internationally every so often, so they might as well play where they prefer.
Plus, it would give Art Rooney II’s presumed successor, Dan Rooney [Daniel Martin Rooney], something to do in the meantime. As the Steelers’ vice president of business development and strategy, he is the point man on their international games and had a very active public presence in getting them to Ireland.
The downside of playing internationally, for one team, anyway, is that you lose a game in your home stadium. The Steelers gave up a home game for Ireland, but it worked out in their favor. Not only did they win, fairly handily, the crowd was overwhelmingly in their favor.
It goes without saying that the Steelers would love to play more international games in Ireland. The NFL very much wants that, too, given how well the first excursion went. It seems unlikely, however, that the Steelers will be the only team to play there, and it’s unknown when they will make a return trip.