THE APEX TIMES
Art Rooney II earns Pittsburgh Business Times’ Impact Award at C-suite Awards dinner
The Steelers president was recognized for a career-spanning impact on the organization, the Pittsburgh region, and the NFL’s community and workplace initiatives.
Steelers President Art Rooney II was honored with the Impact Award at the 2026 C-suite Awards dinner hosted by the Pittsburgh Business Times at Acrisure Stadium.
According to Steelers reporting, the Impact Award is presented each year to an executive whose impact has been felt throughout their entire career. Rooney’s recognition cited both the Steelers’ growth under his leadership and the team’s outreach and broader influence in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.
Steelers officials credited Rooney’s front-office trajectory from early involvement with the club to his role as team president starting in 2003, including leadership described as part of the third Rooney generation overseeing the Steelers operation.
The Steelers release also pointed to Rooney’s role in bringing the 2026 NFL Draft to Pittsburgh, saying the event produced $177 million in regional economic impact and drew 805,000 fans, a figure described as a record attendance mark.
Beyond team leadership, the release said Rooney serves in multiple NFL capacities, including as chairman of the NFL Workplace Diversity Committee, and it highlighted his board and community work such as leadership roles connected to local institutions and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Why It Matters
- Team executives’ recognition like this underscores how the Steelers organization positions its broader community footprint as part of its institutional identity.
- The cited 2026 NFL Draft impact connects Rooney’s influence to major league-level events staged in Pittsburgh, not just franchise operations.
- Rooney’s continued NFL committee leadership suggests the organization maintains visibility in league governance areas beyond football operations.
- The award highlights career-long organizational continuity, with the Steelers pointing to Rooney’s long path within the franchise before and after becoming president in 2003.
Key Facts
- Steelers President Art Rooney II received the Impact Award at the 2026 C-suite Awards dinner.
- The event took place at Acrisure Stadium, with the Pittsburgh Business Times as the presenter.
- The Impact Award was described as recognizing an executive whose impact has been felt over the course of their entire career.
- The Steelers release tied Rooney’s recognition to Steelers growth on the field and the organization’s outreach and influence in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania.
- Steelers officials cited Rooney’s role in bringing the 2026 NFL Draft to Pittsburgh, including claims of $177 million in regional economic impact and 805,000 fans attended.
- The release also listed Rooney’s NFL leadership roles, including chairman of the Workplace Diversity Committee, along with several other committee and foundation-related responsibilities.