Rooney lining up to keep slots away

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Jerry DiPaola
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, July 27, 2004


Steelers president Art Rooney II said he will attempt to block slots parlors from taking root in the shadow of Heinz Field on the North Shore.
"We had (developers) who made decisions relying on (slots) not being in the plans," Rooney said in an interview Monday. "For us to allow it to happen at this point would be a breach of our commitment to those tenants.

"We do believe that gambling and sports in general don't belong in the same complex," he said. "We certainly have had people approach us about getting involved in various groups that are pursuing slots in Pennsylvania because they know we have been involved in the racing business. But we felt that the separation we have today should continue, and we shouldn't be in this business."

Rooney's family owns a harness racing track in Yonkers, N.Y., and a dog racing track in West Palm Beach, Fla., but he said none of the family members involved in racing has dealings with the day-to-day operations of the team. He and his father, team chairman Dan Rooney, have nothing to do with the tracks, Art Rooney said.

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