Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh mayor predicts over 1M will attend 2026 NFL draft in his city

Published

3 weeks ago

May 23, 2024

Pittsburgh mayor predicts over 1M will attend 2026 NFL draft in his city

PITTSBURGH — Wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers cap, Gov. Josh Shapiro joined team and local officials inside Acrisure Stadium on Thursday to celebrate the NFL draft coming to the City of Champions in 2026.

“Pittsburgh is the absolute best choice to host the NFL draft,” said Shapiro, who promised that the state is prepared to invest in nearby Point State Park, across the Allegheny River from Acrisure, to make sure it is ready to host draft-related events.

“This is going to be a huge regional event and Allegheny County is all in,” Shapiro said.

The governor said the draft will occur during the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States in Philadelphia.

In 2026, Shapiro said Pennsylvania will host World Cup matches, an MLB All-Star game in Philadelphia, March Madness games, the PGA Championship in Delaware County and now the NFL draft in Pittsburgh.

“This couldn’t happen at a more important time for our nation and, dare I say, a more important time for the city of Pittsburgh. This is a city and an organization on the rise,” Shapiro said. “We are showing that we can do big things in Pittsburgh and all across Pennsylvania, and I, for one, can’t wait to see the commissioner stand up and announce the final pick of the first round in the 2026 NFL draft going to the Pittsburgh Steelers after they win the Super Bowl the year before.”

Officials touted the anticipated economic boon to the city and county with Pittsburgh a day’s drive from over 10 other NFL cities and 35 Division I colleges.

Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPittsburgh, said that the draft, based on previous ones, could have an economic impact between $120 million and $165 million, much of it spent at businesses such as hotels, bars and restaurants.

“We anticipate an incredible turnout for Draft Pittsburgh,” he said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, right, and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II listen to Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato speak during a news conference Thursday about the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh in 2026.Submitted

The NFL draft has become a marquee three-day event for the league as it travels around the country drawing enormous crowds to downtown areas.

An estimated 775,000 people attended this year’s draft in April in Detroit, besting the record of 600,000 set in 2019 in Nashville. In 2017, Philadelphia hosted the draft, which drew about 250,000.

“This is going to do even better,” said Shapiro, noting that Pennsylvania will become the first state to host two NFL drafts.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey was bolder in his predictions, though.

“Everybody wants to talk about numbers. Here’s my number, I predict we have over a million people come to our city,” he said.

Gainey said that fans will be drawn by legendary Steelers moments such as Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception, Lynn Swann’s “acrobatic catch” against the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X and James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

“We have so many memories that no matter what city you go to, no matter where you’re at, one thing you will find is a Steelers bar or restaurant,” said Gainey, his voice rising as if he were giving a Sunday morning sermon.

“People remember the old times that they had to leave because of the closing of the steel mills,” he said. “Now they get to bring back their grandkids and their kids so that they can see what special place raised them up, and regardless of where they lived, why they still call our beloved city home.

Art Rooney II, the Steelers owner and president, said the 2026 draft festivities will include the main stage in the area just outside the second-floor windows of Acrisure Stadium where Thursday’s news conference was held.

Besides events on the city’s North Side where the stadium sits, Rooney has also said that there will be activities planned for Point State Park, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form the Ohio River, as well as Downtown Pittsburgh, the Central Business District and the Strip District, an entertainment and eating destination.

“A lot of hard work went into getting to this day,” said Rooney, who added that the draft will serve as a showcase for western Pennsylvania’s deep ties to football and the many stars, including Mike Ditka, Tony Dorsett, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas and Joe Montana to name a few, that the region has produced.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said a $1.5 billion modernization project for Pittsburgh International Airport, including a new terminal, will greet visitors who should take advantage of the city’s “cultural assets” and “award-winning” food scene.

“I’m excited that people from all over will have the opportunity to truly gawk at our six Lombardi trophies and also experience our neighborliness,” she said.

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Pittsburg, PA

Steelers Facing Difficult Roster Decision at TE

Published

4 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

Steelers Facing Difficult Roster Decision at TE

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have concluded Organized Team Activities and departed for a midsummer break. Training camp waits on the other side of roughly six weeks off and later will come roster cuts as the team trims down to a final group of 53 men.

Some of the decisions the Steelers need to make will be easier than others. Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan’s The Starkey Show that he believes tight end will be the most difficult of them all to cut down from five guys to three.

“Tight end is so hard for me to predict right now,” Fittipaldo said. “You got [Pat] Freiermuth, you got Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Rodney Williams and they brought in [MyCole] Pruitt, who was with Smith in Atlanta. That’s five guys right there. Are you gonna keep even four of those guys…That’s going to be hard for them on cutdown day,” he said.

Freiermuth and Washington figure to be locks to make the roster as the top two tight ends on the roster, which leaves it as a three-man race for what will be no more than two tight end spots on the 53-man roster when the time comes. Heyward has shown some playmaking flashes over his two seasons in Pittsburgh. Williams has experience in the program and Pruitt has more snaps played in the system as a former Atlanta Falcon under Smith’s coaching.

Heyward has filled a sort of hybrid role for the Steelers, at least during OTAs as the full roster gets accustomed to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s new system. He’s lined up at tight end, in the backfield and as a slot receiver at times. And even more versatility will give him a leg up in the race for a roster spot, according to Fittipaldo.

“I’ll tell you one thing – you better play special teams,” Fittipaldo said. “Special teams are going to be a big factor in that and luckily for Heyward he’s a good special teams player.”

There will be plenty of speculation over the coming weeks but no decisions until the Steelers hit the fields at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, throw on pads and get back to playing football.

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Pittsburg, PA

Kraft Hockeyville 2024 to feature Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins

Published

11 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Press Room

KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE 2024 TO FEATURE OTTAWA SENATORS AND PITTSBURGH PENGUINS IN NHL PRESEASON MATCHUP

TORONTO, ON (June 15, 2024) – Today, Kraft Heinz, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL®) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced their official 2024 NHL preseason matchup celebrating the Kraft Hockeyville 2024 winning community Elliot Lake, Ontario. The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will face off on Sunday, September 29, 2024. The details of the preseason game, including location and broadcast timing, are currently being finalized and will be announced at a later date, along with other important community event details.

“Now spanning 18 years, Kraft Hockeyville’s roots dig deep into Canada’s hockey legacy. We feel privileged to be a part of Elliot Lake’s journey and witness how hockey unites their community — on the ice and beyond,” said Simon Laroche, President of Kraft Heinz Canada. “We are pleased to announce the preseason game in partnership with the NHL and NHLPA and celebrate the heartwarming story of our winning city with local hockey fans and players alike.”

In addition to their NHL® preseason game for winning Kraft Hockeyville 2024, Elliot Lake received $250,000 for upgrades to its local arena, Centennial Arena, and $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.

Elliot Lake is a resilient community where hockey has been a constant source of inspiration. Despite many challenges, particularly after the closure of mines in the early 1990s, their community has redefined itself and the population continues to grow. However, recent hardships impacted their recreational and competitive hockey leagues, including their junior hockey team, forcing them to relocate due to the closure of the Centennial Arena following significant structural issues with their roof. This has not only impacted the city financially but has affected the mental health and well-being of the children in the community. Winning Kraft Hockeyville 2024 provides the resources needed to support the reopening of Centennial Arena, offering the city the home arena they deserve while continuing to foster hockey’s hopeful spirit in Elliot Lake.

“Northern Ontario maintains a rich hockey history,” said Ottawa Senators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios. “We’re looking forward to showcasing both our team and our brand to the many passionate fans in their communities as part of this fall’s Kraft Hockeyville events.”

“The Pittsburgh Penguins are excited to participate in Kraft Hockeyville this fall,” said Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas. “Having grown up in Northern Ontario, I understand how impactful the event will be for the people of Elliot Lake and the surrounding area. The investment in Elliott Lake and the game itself provide the Penguins with a great opportunity to contribute to the growth of the sport in an area of the world that truly loves ice hockey!”

Kraft Hockeyville has established a longstanding commitment to building strong communities across the country through the love of the game of hockey. The program has awarded over $5.1 million to 101 communities over the past 18 years in support of revitalizing Canada’s aging sports and recreation infrastructure.

For complete program details, please visit krafthockeyville.ca.

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