As an ambassador of the game, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is extremely in tune with continuing to grow professional football in all avenues.
In recent years, that's included additional expansion of both NFL games and marketing rights through the Global Markets Program, along with the expansion of girls flag football programs here in the United States.
Goodell was in attendance at the Steelers' game at Acrisure Stadium Monday night against the New York Giants and said the franchise has played and will continue to play a big role in the NFL's long-term plans, both internationally and here in the United States.
"The Steelers are one of our more capital franchises on a global basis," Goodell said. "We were just talking earlier about our fans in Mexico. The Steelers are one and two with the Cowboys. Obviously in Ireland, they've got an easy draw because the Ambassador (former Steelers president and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney) was impactful because of their history.
"But as a successful franchise over the years and decades, they have a tremendous following, and again, they're willing to participate in that. I think that's going to grow the game."
The Steelers currently have international rights through the Global Markets Program in Mexico, the island of Ireland and Germany. The Global Market Program gives NFL teams the opportunity to build brand awareness beyond the United States through fan engagement programs, events and commercial opportunities.
The Steelers, along with the Philadelphia Eagles and NFL Foundation among other organizations, and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania also have been at the forefront of creating opportunities for girls to participate in the sport through flag football.
The Steelers and Eagles have fostered a flag football league for girls the past three years, leading the PIAA, the governing body for interscholastic sports in Pennsylvania, to approve girls flag football to be an officially sanctioned sport for the 2025-26 school year.
Pennsylvania currently has over 100 girls flag football teams at schools across the state.
"I think it's a great development, because one of the biggest issues for us is to share the game with young women and for them to understand the same values in football, where it's teamwork," said Goodell. "It's the values that come from playing the game they share. And I've seen it with young women around the world.
"They're empowered by it, they're really excited to be able to participate in this work they couldn't do before. And it gives them a confidence that as a dad of two girls I'm really proud of so I think it's going to be a huge hit."
A huge hit for Goodell was his visit to the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum earlier in the day before the game kicked off.
Goodell spent plenty of time touring the museum, located at Acrisure Stadium, which is now in its third year of existence.
It was fun for Goodell because he spent a good amount of time in the Pittsburgh area as an undergraduate at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pa., from where he graduated in 1981.
"I loved it. We could have probably spent another hour down there," Goodell said. "It was fun for me because, I've got a little bit of a history here and sort of seeing Steeler football since the late '70s here in Pittsburgh, it's hard not to be a fan here and see the impact it's had on this community, how the Rooney family has brought this game, this community together around an institution that I think no other team or no other league, no other institution, can bring this community together like this deal."
That bond the Steelers have with the region is a big reason why the NFL chose to hold the NFL Draft here in Pittsburgh in 2026.
Goodell said he is looking forward to showcasing Pittsburgh to the world and bringing fans of the NFL to the city and region.
"There will be an obvious economic impact, which is extraordinarily significant," Goodell said. "The latest estimates are well over $200 million. I always say the value of that is another chance to show off all the great things that are happening in this community, the work that's going on with the governor and the county and the city.
"We hope to be able to highlight the impact of that and what's happening in our communities. I think the money generated from the draft will go back into the community, but I also believe the money generated by the Steelers here goes back into this community, which is unique to our model professional support. That money is created in some way, by other markets and brought into this community, and I think that's where the true economic impact happens. But as I say, the platform of the draft is more important than the context.
"The number of people watching will be 50 million on a global basis. That's a chance to show off this community."
