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Borussia Dortmund and Pittsburgh Steelers join forces in partnership
This is the first-ever partnership of its kind for the two clubs, who are united by not only their renowned colors, but also their industrial pasts and winning traditions, as well as interest in future success and international collaboration.
To inaugurate the partnership, BVB recently hosted a Steelers delegation visit to Dortmund, complete with 2x Pro Bowler Miles Killebrew, to experience first-hand a home match at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK and its world-famous ‘Yellow Wall’, the largest standing terrace in European football. Prior to that, in December 2024, a BVB delegation were welcomed to Pittsburgh for a Steelers home game at Acrisure Stadium. The visit included jersey swaps, content collaborations, and the requisite tailgating alongside former BVB pro Patrick Owomoyela, a long-time Steelers fan, who also had the opportunity to link up with Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. It was BVB’s first official visit to the stadium since its 2018 USA Summer Tour.
“I was blown away by my experience at Dortmund,” said Killebrew. “From the minute we arrived at Signal Iduna Park, it was clear to me how special an organization BVB is. 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.”
In 2024, the Steelers received a license for Germany from the NFL as part of the league’s Global Markets Program, allowing the club to partake in, among other things, partnerships and on-the-ground activities throughout the country of Germany. Earlier that year, Dortmund announced the opening of its first U.S. office in New York, from which it manages its activities in the Western Hemisphere.
This partnership has already taken root in the form of bilateral business collaborations between Pittsburgh and Dortmund. Dortmund hosted a Steelers staff member at a recent business summit in Germany; a reciprocal event has been planned in Pittsburgh for later this spring. Additionally, in mid-April, the Steelers will host its first-ever German-based flag football clinic at the BVB Football Academy featuring a Steelers player.
“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,” said Pittsburgh Steelers Director of Business Development and Strategy, Dan Rooney. “We look forward to what’s next as we support each other’s success in reaching fans in new markets and raising the profiles of the cities we call home.”
Adds Marc Lingenhoff, Managing Director for BVB Americas, Inc., “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. When exploring various expansion opportunities for BVB in the United States, we saw the Steelers as the ideal partner with tremendous success on the field, as well as a legacy of excellence off the field. Known for its resilience and community-first approach, the Steelers are a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s identity - and the same can be said for BVB in our Dortmund community as well. We are proud and excited to bring this synergistic partnership to life on the global stage, with the fan at the center of everything we do.”
Not only are the Pittsburgh Steelers and BVB symbols of their cities’ passionate fan bases and communities - but they also share an industrial past deeply rooted in the steel industry. The cities of Pittsburgh and Dortmund already share a unique bond having entered into a ‘Transatlantic Innovation and Climate Partnership Agreement’ - signed into effect in 2022 by Mayor Edward Gainey (City of Pittsburgh) and Mayor Thomas Westphal (City of Dortmund) and today are leading tech and research hubs.