Pittsburgh Review

On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Borussia Dortmund (BVB) announced a new partnership that aims to extend both clubs' presence in each other's markets through joint initiatives in team activities, content, and fan engagement. This venture is the first collaboration of its kind between the NFL and Bundesliga teams, both of which share historical and cultural identities rooted in industrial traditions and sporting success.

To mark the beginning of the partnership, a Steelers delegation, including two-time Pro Bowler Miles Killebrew, visited Dortmund to witness a home match at Signal Iduna Park. The visit featured jersey swaps and interactions with fans. A previous visit in December 2024 saw a BVB delegation in Pittsburgh, where they attended a Steelers home game. The event included collaborative content creation and a traditional tailgating experience.

"I was blown away by my experience at Dortmund," Killebrew shared. "From the 'Yellow Wall', to the atmosphere and the fans, it was a memorable day for me, and I look forward to returning someday. It will be exciting to see the relationship between the Steelers and BVB grow in the future."

The partnership aligns with the Steelers being granted an NFL license for Germany in 2024 and BVB's establishment of its first U.S. office in New York. Business collaborations are underway, including attendance at a summit in Germany by a Steelers staff member, with a reciprocal event planned in Pittsburgh.

"The partnership with Borussia Dortmund, the first-of-its-kind for the Steelers organization, builds off the deep connections both of our teams have with the communities we represent, as well as our shared values, rooted in our industrial pasts, of hard work, determination and a winning spirit," stated Dan Rooney, Pittsburgh Steelers Director of Business Development and Strategy.

Marc Lingenhoff, Managing Director for BVB Americas, Inc., echoed this sentiment. "Borussia Dortmund and the Pittsburgh Steelers share more than colors - we share the commitment to bring sports and culture together through the power of our brands. We are rooted in history, and bonded by tradition."

Both franchises represent cities with industrial pasts tied to the steel industry and have fostered a collaboration through a 'Transatlantic Innovation and Climate Partnership Agreement' between Pittsburgh and Dortmund, initiated by their respective mayors in 2022. The cities continue to strengthen their partnership as leading technology and research hubs.