We’ve witnessed some incredible stories where sports teams were born in a strange way, but nothing like the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a story where a man’s luck at the racetrack helped build one of the most legendary franchises in the NFL, and all it took was one winning bet.
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Sounds exciting, right? Did you know who started the Pittsburgh Steelers? It was a man named Art Rooney, and if it weren’t for his love for horse racing, and a once-in-a-lifetime winning streak, the Pittsburgh Steelers wouldn’t have existed.
It doesn’t get any better than this. Imagine, winning a bet, and putting all your winnings into a football team. Most people would change their lives by buying a big house or a fancy car, but not Art Rooney.
Let’s learn more about Art Rooney, and how the Steelers were born out of pure luck.
Who Was Art Rooney?
First, let’s talk about Art Rooney, a person that not many people know about, but he is behind one of the most valuable franchises in the NFL - The Pittsburgh Steelers.
Who was he? Well, we are talking about a Pittsburgh native born in 1901 and a man who was a passionate sports fan. But it takes a lot more than being a sports fan in order to fund your own team, right?
He also had an incredible entrepreneurial spirit and wasn’t afraid of taking risks. He was mostly involved in baseball, boxing, and football, but at the same time, he loved watching horse racing and spent most of his free time on the track placing bets.
Rooney was one of the rare people who observed horse racing betting as a way to make money, not as an entertaining activity. Therefore, he wasn’t just a casual horse racing bettor, but a strategic one. He knew everything about horses, which gave him the advantage of being able to predict race outcomes.
But all things changed after in 1933, Rooney founded the Pittsburgh Pirates football team (and yes, they were named after the baseball team back then). But funding a football team isn’t easy, and he needed cold, hard cash to do it.
So, where can an entrepreneur get that kind of money to fund a sports team? Most would say by opening a business, but not Art Rooney. He went for the big prize, and he got it.
This is one of the rare scenarios where a sports team is funded by the winnings from another sports bet.
The Legendary Saratoga Streak
So, how did he manage to win so much money that can be used to fund a sports team? Well, we are talking about horse racing, a sport where you can make incredible bets, so winning a lot of money here isn’t really strange.
His luck turned in the summer of 1936, at the Saratoga Racecourse in New York. Art Rooney hits what gamblers dream about — an unbelievable winning streak. Some sources say he won about $160,000 in just a few days, which, adjusted for inflation, is around $3 million today. Talk about jackpot-level winnings!
Rooney didn’t just blow the cash on a new car or a flashy vacation. Nope. He turned those horse-racing dollars into football gold by funneling the money into his football team. That cash infusion helped keep the team afloat through the tough, early years when professional football wasn't the cash cow it is today.
What Exactly Did He Bet On?
Legend has it that Rooney’s big win came from betting on long shots — a series of horses with high odds that most people wouldn’t touch. But Rooney trusted his gut (and probably his meticulous research). The horses delivered, and the bookies paid up.
Imagine betting on a horse at 10-1 odds and that horse crosses the finish line first. Now imagine doing that multiple times in one week. That’s the kind of luck and nerve Rooney brought to the table.
Before you run towards the top horse racing betting sites after hearing this inspiring story, remember it takes luck and extensive research in order to get your hands on a massive win.
From Horses to Steelers: The Birth of a Dynasty
So, what did Rooney’s racetrack winnings really do for the Steelers?
Secured the Team’s Future: At a time when pro football teams struggled financially, Rooney’s windfall gave the franchise the stability it needed to survive.
Invested in Talent: The money allowed Rooney to recruit and pay better players, which gradually improved the team’s performance.
Funded Football Operations: Travel costs, uniforms, and game-day expenses weren’t cheap. The racetrack cash helped cover the essentials to keep the team running.
Why Not Just Invest in the Stock Market?
Rooney was a sportsman through and through. Stocks? Bonds? Too tedious for a guy who thrived on the thrill of competition.
Plus, the 1930s weren’t exactly booming for Wall Street (thanks, Great Depression). Moneyline betting in sports like NFL was still not developed. Horse racing offered immediate, tangible payoffs — if you had the nerve and know-how.
Was It All Just Luck?
Nah. Rooney was known for his sharp eye and attention to detail. He wasn’t picking random horses; he was making informed bets. The guy studied the races like a coach studies game film. Sure, luck played a part, but so did strategy, experience, and pure guts.
The Legacy Lives On
Fast forward to today: The Steelers are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, with six Super Bowl championships to their name. And they owe it, in part, to Art Rooney’s willingness to bet big — not just on horses, but on a future in professional football.
