ESPN exposes the truth about Art Rooney’s ownership of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the worst possible time
A bad look for Art Rooney and the Steelers ahead of NFL free agency.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for being one of the more well-run organizations in the NFL. Loyal to a fault, tied with the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history, and nearly two decades without a losing season, Pittsburgh has long been viewed as the gold standard in the NFL.
However, it appears that the people who know the team the best don’t see things the same way. The NFLPA surveys players on their team, asking about everything from how their families are treated to the food in the cafeteria. The NFL won a case in arbitration that prevented those surveys from being public the way they were in years prior, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find out what is within them.
Steelers rank dead last in the NFLPA survey
“[Steelers owner] Art Rooney ranks last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities, a trend reflected in the Steelers’ poor facility ratings across the board,” the survey said. In a new category added this year, the Steelers had the lowest-rated home field in the league “by a wide margin.”
“Players cite inadequate maintenance and excessive wear from hosting local college and high school games,” the survey said. “Players across the league note the poor condition of the field and emphasize the need for investment to bring it up to standard.” The Steelers’ locker room was graded an F. Players reported that it “has only five bathroom stalls for the entire team.”
Per the survey, players report that the Steelers’ training room lacks updated recovery technology and “modalities.” Pittsburgh’s strength coaches ranked last in the NFL, though the training staff ranked first. – Kalyn Kahler, ESPN
Art Rooney reaches a new low as Steelers owner
For Rooney and the Steelers, this is nothing new. In 2024, the team ranked among the lowest in the league, and the same thing happened in 2025. Never have they been dead last in the life of the survey however.
For this franchise, that is unacceptable. These aren’t strikes on the coaching staff or the front office. This isn’t even Rooney’s impatience with his coaching search. This is a direct shot at the conditions and spending of the franchise, which falls on the highest of the high: Mr. Rooney. Oh, and with a marquee date quickly approaching, the timing isn’t great either.
NFLPA report card results dropping just before free agency hurts Steelers
A week from Monday, the legal tampering period begins, and the Steelers will officially be allowed to spend their $40 million in effective cap space on whomever they choose. Only, they have to be able to sell said players on joining. If the money is similar and the opportunity is similar between say the Steelers and Ravens, do you think that player wants to go play for a team that has five stalls in its bathroom and a history of poor facilities?
So it’s not only a bad look, it’s a bad time for the Steelers to receive the worst report card grade in the NFL.
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