From the PG Archives: Rooney Tells How Big Deal Was Arranged

Originally published December 9, 1940

Friday, September 21, 2007
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bert Bell Chief Negotiator With Thompson in Sale Of Local Eleven
"Prez" Art Rooney has lost his title.

When he bought half of the Philidelphia Eagles yesterday after selling his Pittsburgh Steelers, the popular Northaide sportsman passed up any office in the eastern organization.

"I'll just go down on Saturday nights for the games." Rooney said last night in a telephone conversation with the Post-Gazette from Washington just after the National League had placed the stamp of approval on his rapid-fire selling and buying. "I certainly hated to give up the franchise in the old home town but it would have been poor business to refuse the proposition for a second-division ball club at the terms which were offered.

To Keep Home Here

"You can assure my friends back in Pittsburgh, however that I am not going to move to Philly. I'm satisfied to liver over there at 940 North Lincoln avenue on the Northside with those five young sons of mine."

Rooney revealed how the big deal which aroused sports fans throughout the country was consumated. Alexis Thompson, wealthy young New Yorker who is the new Steeler owner, had tried unsuccessfully to buy the local club for some time. Then he turned to Philadelphia and sought the Eagles. But Bell, owner of the Philly franchise, did all the bargaining last week when the two squads were split in a number of meetings with Thompson, Greasy Neale, Heinie Miller and Walter Kiesling. It all ended with Bell selling the Steelers rather than the Eagle franchise.

Bell Arranges Deal

"I never talked to Thompson until today after all the details were practically ironed out," Rooney asserted last night. "Bell did all the dickering. I feel certain that Pittsburgh fans will like their new owner and that he will give them a strong team."

Thompson told the "ex-Prez" that he expects to reside here during the football season.