What Is The Relationship Between The Rooney And Mara Families?

Actresses Kate Mara and Rooney Mara are related through their fathers, Timothy Christopher Mara and Art Rooney, who both come from football franchises. Timothy Christopher Mara was the vice president of player evaluation for the New York Giants, while Art Rooney created the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kate and Rooney’s parents, Chris Mara and Kathleen Rooney, have roots in the NFL world, having their families founded the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.

Kate’s mother is Kathleen Rooney, whose family owns the Pittsburgh Steelers, and her father is Christopher Mara, whose family owns the majority of the New York Giants. The family is reportedly worth over $3 billion. Kate’s father, Timothy Christopher Mara, is the senior vice president of the New York Giants, and her sister, Kathleen, is a real estate agent. Tim Rooney’s daughter, Kathleen, married Tim Mara’s grandson Chris, and the two families became forever connected.

Rooney and Kate are siblings from the legendary Rooney and Mara families. The Pittsburgh Steelers own their mother’s side, and their father’s family owns the New York Giants. They are also related to the Koch family, with William Koch’s current wife, Bridget Rooney Koch, coming from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ family and being an aunt.

Kate and Rooney are sisters, with Kate being 41 years old as of 2024, and Rooney being born on 17 April 1985. They began their careers acting in television and independent films, such as the coming-of-age drama Tanner Hall. They have 22 aunts and uncles and about 40 cousins.

In addition to their fathers, Kate and Rooney have nine children on their mother’s side, with their great-uncle Dan Rooney having nine children on their father’s side. Their family has a rich history in the NFL, with their father being one of 11 and their mother’s great-uncle Dan Rooney having nine children.

Where Did The Rooneys Get Their Money?

The Rooney family's wealth is intricately tied to their ownership of the Pittsburgh Steelers, founded by Art Rooney Sr. in 1933. Rumors suggest that some initial funding for the team came from Art's gambling wins at the racetrack, potentially enabling his purchase of the franchise, which originally cost $2, 500 (equivalent to about $48, 000 today). The Rooneys also strategically invested in real estate, acquiring hotels and commercial properties, which bolstered their finances and contributed to Pittsburgh's economic development.

Over the decades, they ventured into various industries, including gaming, solidifying their status as a business dynasty. John Rooney Sr., a successful cotton baron in England, laid the foundation for the family's fortune. Art Rooney II took over the Steelers in 2017 after his father, Dan Rooney, passed away. Despite challenges, the team flourished under the Rooneys' stewardship, significantly increasing its valuation—now pegged at $3 billion, reflecting a remarkable 58% rise over five years.

The family, with a combined net worth of $1. 2 billion, has notably influenced the NFL while engaging in political donations, primarily to Democrats. The legacy of Art Rooney Sr. as a key figure in Pittsburgh's history remains vital to their story.

What Does The Rooney Family Crest Mean?

The Rooney family crest symbolizes a rich Gaelic legacy rooted in Ireland, with its origins traced back to the Gaelic name Ó Ruanaidh, meaning "descendant of Ruanaidh," a name that signifies strength and championship. The lion in the crest embodies the family's ferocious nature, bravery, and valor, making it one of the most esteemed symbols in heraldry. The creation of coats of arms began in the eleventh century, evolving from forms of Proto-Heraldry.

Distinctive elements of the Rooney coat of arms include the colors and symbols: Gold represents generosity, while Green signifies hope, joy, and loyalty in love. The surname Rooney first appeared in County Down, part of Ulster, Northern Ireland, where it has been recorded since the medieval period. Historical records of the Rooney name can be found in the USA, UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920, reflecting its spread in various regions.

The crest not only celebrates the family's noble heritage but also serves as a testament to their enduring spirit. The surname Rooney thus carries multiple meanings, encapsulating both the lineage's valorous past and its connections to the vibrant Celtic culture. This intricate family history highlights the significance of the Rooney family and the stories encapsulated within their heraldic symbols.

Who Are The Steelers Minority Owners?

Minority owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer purchased their stakes in the Pittsburgh Steelers for $150 million in 2020. They have since decided to sell their shares back to Art Rooney II, the team president, and minority owner Thomas Tull. Harris and Blitzer, who also own the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia 76ers, are finalizing the deal following NFL regulations that prohibit owners from being associated with multiple teams. Bloomberg reports the sale is in advanced talks.

Harris, the current owner of the Washington Commanders, and Blitzer are looking to conclude the agreement soon. Despite owning less than 5 percent of the Steelers, their minority stakes are now being sold back to the existing investor group led by Rooney and Tull. This transaction comes amidst ongoing ownership changes in the NFL, with both Harris and Blitzer entering into discussions after their recent acquisition of the Commanders for $6 billion.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a considerable list of minority owners aside from the Rooney family, which has been involved since the team's inception. Notably, former Steelers minority owner Jimmy Haslam went on to be the majority owner of the Cleveland Browns. The NFL landscape continues to evolve as team ownership changes hands.

How Is Kate Mara Related To Art Rooney?

Kate Mara is a notable American actress and the great-granddaughter of both Tim Mara, founder of the New York Giants, and Art Rooney Sr., founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Her family's connection to the NFL is deep-rooted; her mother's side has owned the Pittsburgh Steelers since their inception in 1933, whereas her father's side has maintained ownership of the New York Giants. Kate, along with her sister Rooney Mara, has Irish and Italian heritage, complemented by smaller amounts of German, French-Canadian, and English ancestry.

Their cousin, Art Rooney II, is the current president and co-owner of the Steelers. Kate and Rooney's mother, Kathleen Rooney, and their father, Christopher Mara, belong to the renowned NFL families, which makes them first cousins to each other through their maternal side. Kate Mara is best known for her role as Zoe Barnes in Netflix's "House of Cards." In their personal lives, Kate welcomed a daughter with husband Jamie Bell in 2019, while Rooney has a son with fiancé Joaquin Phoenix, born in 2020. Their family legacy in the NFL is significant, with strong ties to both the Giants and Steelers, highlighting a rich history intertwined with American football.

How Did The Rooney Family Make Their Fortune?

The Rooney family, majority owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers since the team's inception in 1933, trace their wealth back to John Rooney, Sr., a 19th-century cotton baron in England. The family fortune, which exceeds $3 billion, largely stems from the Steelers' success and savvy business ventures. Art Rooney Sr. founded the team with a mere $2, 500 in winnings from a sports bet, marking the start of a legacy that has prospered over decades. Today, Rooney II, with a net worth of $1.

2 billion, benefits from his family's achievements, which include strategic property investments that have further increased their wealth. Rooney II is married to Greta, and they share four children. The family is intertwined with other prominent sports ownerships, with Kathleen McNulty Rooney being connected to the Steelers and Timothy Christopher Mara associated with the New York Giants. The Rooneys’ story reflects a classic rags-to-riches narrative, with Art Rooney initially profiting from sports betting before making the Steelers a formidable NFL franchise, appreciating the team's value tremendously in an era of soaring NFL finances. Each of the five Rooney brothers holds a 16% stake in the team, contributing to the family's sustained wealth.

Where Did The Mara Family Get Their Money?

The Mara family's wealth originated from their ownership of the New York Giants, founded by Tim Mara in 1925 for just $500. Tim, who operated a successful bookmaking business and became the legal bookmaker at Belmont Park, established a strong foundation for the family's fortune. When Tim passed, his grandson John Mara inherited the team and the prevailing wealth. In 1991, due to financial constraints, Tim Mara's heirs sold their shares in the company to Preston Robert Tisch for $70 million.

The exact net worth of the Mara family remains undisclosed, but it's estimated that their collective fortune exceeds $3 billion, largely attributed to the value of the Giants and their real estate investments.

Throughout their history, the Mara family has maintained ownership of the Giants, with only the Chicago Bears having a longer familial ownership among NFL teams. Tim's background as a teenager involved supporting his family through bookmaking, having left school early for work. Over the years, the family's financial standing has remained substantial, with estimates suggesting John Mara alone is worth around $500 million.

The Mara influence extends into entertainment, with their granddaughters, actresses Kate and Rooney Mara, and grandson, NHL player Patrick Brown, further representing the family legacy. Despite various challenges, including the 1929 stock market crash, the Mara family has sustained its prominence in both sports and business, reinforcing the dynasty’s enduring legacy.