The Pittsburgh Steelers, one of the most iconic teams in the NFL, have announced an exciting partnership with Virgin Media Television for the upcoming season. This collaboration will see three of the team’s preseason games broadcast live and free-to-air for Irish fans for the first time. This move is sure to delight Steelers fans in Ireland, who will now have the opportunity to watch their favorite team in action without any barriers.
In addition to airing the preseason games, Virgin Media Television will also be broadcasting The Mike Tomlin Show, a weekly program featuring Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, throughout the 2024 season. This behind-the-scenes look at the team and its coaching staff will provide Irish audiences with a unique insight into the inner workings of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Irish viewers can mark their calendars for the Steelers‘ games against the Houston Texans on August 9th, the Buffalo Bills on August 17th, and the Detroit Lions on August 24th, all of which will be broadcast live on Virgin Media Two and the Virgin Media Player. These broadcasts will not only feature the games themselves but also include original content produced by the Steelers and Virgin Media specifically for the Irish audience.
This partnership is part of the Steelers‘ broader efforts to expand their presence in the Irish market. As part of the NFL’s ‚Global Markets Program‘, the team has been granted the rights to grow their brand and engage with fans in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This initiative has already seen the Steelers host a range of fan events and football educational programs in Ireland, including watch parties, clinics, and youth camps.
Dan Rooney, Steelers Director of Business Development and Strategy, expressed the team’s excitement about the partnership with Virgin Media Ireland, highlighting their commitment to serving their growing fan base in Ireland and introducing American football to new audiences. Brian Gleeson, Head of Sport at Virgin Media Television, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the network’s dedication to bringing top-class NFL action to Irish viewers on free-to-air television.
The connection between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Ireland runs deep, with the franchise founders and owners, the Rooney family, having ancestral roots in Newry Co. Down. The late Daniel M Rooney, former United States Ambassador to Ireland, was instrumental in fostering ties between the two nations through initiatives like The Ireland Funds. The Steelers also have a history of playing in Ireland, having participated in the first NFL game held in the country back in 1997.
Overall, the partnership between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Virgin Media Television is a significant development for NFL fans in Ireland. With live game broadcasts and exclusive programming, Irish viewers can look forward to an immersive and engaging experience that brings them closer to the action on the field and the personalities behind the team. This collaboration marks a new chapter in the Steelers‘ engagement with their Irish fan base and underscores the global appeal of American football.