
Aug 26, 2008 1:28 pm US/Eastern
Rooneys, NFL End Meeting Without Resolution
NEW YORK (KDKA) ―
The much anticipated meeting between the Rooney brothers and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is over with no apparent resolution to the ongoing ownership issues involving the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The brothers met with Goodell at the NFL Offices in New York for several hours today and left the meeting without comment.
Citing a confidentiality agreement with the Rooneys, Goodell declined to say whether any progress was made in the meeting or exactly what was discussed.
Goodell has been pushing the Rooney family to get the team in compliance with NFL rules by separating the ownership of the team from the family's racetrack, casino, and gambling interests.
Meanwhile the Rooney brothers have indicated their efforts to divest of the Steelers is primarily about estate planning as the brothers are all in or near their 70s.
Commissioner Goodell has been a supporter of any plan that would keep Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney in control of the team, but the other brothers have argued that the deal their brother has offered to buy them out is less than their shares are worth.
Tim, Pat, Art Jr., and John Rooney have been entertaining an offer from Pittsburgh billionaire Stanley Druckenmiller to purchase their shares in the team.
Whatever arrangement the brothers settle on must be approved by the other NFL Owners.
Goodell says no further meetings are planned.
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