Matthew Rooney, the grandson of Pittsburgh Steelers legendary founder Art Rooney, died at his Hamptons home on Friday, the team confirmed to The Post. He was 51.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew,\u201d a Steelers spokesperson said in a statement to The Post.<\/p>\n
A cause of death was not revealed.<\/p>\n
Matthew Joseph Rooney died at his East Hampton, NY, home on Aug. 15, 2025. RL Matthews Funeral Home<\/p>\n
Rooney was born in Meadowbrook, Pa., on Nov. 11, 1973 to JoAnn Wallace Rooney and John J. Rooney, a minority shareholder of the Steelers until he sold a majority of his 16 percent stake in 2009.<\/p>\n
Matthew Rooney graduated from NYU with a Bachelor of Arts before earning his Master\u2019s at Columbia University.<\/p>\n
The writer, artist and lover of ballet and opera was remembered by his family\u00a0in an online obituary.<\/a><\/p>\n He split time living in New York and Los Angeles before settling down in Brooklyn Heights and East Hampton.<\/p>\n Rooney was remembered for his \u201cwit, charm and love of fashion\u201d that made him \u201cone of life\u2019s last true Dandies and an authentic Bob Viviant,\u201d the family said.<\/p>\n Art Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, waves to the camera on Dec. 12, 1972. AP<\/p>\n Art Rooney II, Matthew Rooney\u2019s cousin, looks on before a game between the Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 16, 2023. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n Rooney served as the vice chair of the donor arm of the New York City Ballet\u2019s Allegro Circle and was a member of the board of directors for the Metropolitan Opera of New York.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI was saddened to hear about the passing of Matthew Rooney. I didn\u2019t know him well, but he was always a kind, familiar face at the ballet \u2014 someone who had a special way of making others feel welcome and celebrated,\u201d fashion designer Joshua Kamei said in an Instagram post.<\/a><\/p>\n He is survived by his mother, four siblings, 15 nieces and nephews and 18 great nieces and nephews.<\/p>\n The Rooney family has owned the iconic NFL franchise since Art Rooney guided the team into the league back in 1933.<\/p>\n After his death, Art Rooney\u2019s son David took control of the team in 1975 and held the position until his death in 2002.<\/p>\n Art Rooney II, Dan\u2019s son, has been the owner and president of the six-time Super Bowl Champions since 2003.<\/p>\n A private funeral and burial will be held for Matthew Rooney on Aug. 21 in Philadelphia, PA<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t