The countdown to one of Ireland’s most anticipated sporting occasions began in style last night, as Teneo Global CEO Paul Keary welcomed leaders from sport, business, and politics to a special dinner in Dublin alongside the NFL and US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward S. Walsh.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s historic clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park Stadium, Keary described the event as “a fantastic moment in advance of one of the great sporting events that is about to happen for the first time.”
In a light-hearted opening, he joked that while the Steelers and Vikings boast six Super Bowl titles between them, the Vikings’ wait for a championship has become something of an American “Mayo curse.”
But Keary quickly shifted to a more reflective tone, tracing the roots of the occasion back to the mid-19th century, when Irish families, including the Rooneys, later owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers, emigrated to the United States. “Back in the 1850s, the population of Pittsburgh was about 46,000, and 10,000 of those were Irish,” he said. “That shared history reminds us why this game on Sunday is not just a game, but a representation of a very special bond between two countries.”
Keary spoke of the cultural and sporting ties that unite Ireland and America, emphasising sport’s unique power to connect communities. “It’s more than just entertainment,” he said. “Sport provides challenges that can only be resolved on the field, and those challenges disappear once the game is over.”
Dublin, he argued, was the ideal stage for the NFL’s first-ever regular-season game in Ireland, citing both the league’s operational excellence and Ireland’s growing reputation as a host of major international events. He also paid tribute to the Rooney family’s enduring commitment to their Irish heritage.
Keary painted a vivid picture of Pittsburgh as a city that “feels like an Irish town,” steeped in industry, education, food, and above all, sport. “It’s really a Steelers town,” he said, comparing meeting team matriarch Gail Rooney to encountering royalty.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game, he highlighted stars like Aaron Rodgers and Justin Jefferson as examples of the world-class talent Irish fans would witness. He also noted Teneo’s own role in sport, from supporting Europe’s Ryder Cup victory through its partnership with Shane Lowry to advising global organisations such as FIFA and the IOC.
Keary touched on wider industry trends, including the rise of AI in sports broadcasting, the surge of investment flowing into sport worldwide, and particularly the rapid growth of women’s sport. He spotlighted Teneo’s Accelerator Programme, which offers pro bono advice and mentoring to elite female athletes, supporting talents such as golfer Áine Droghen and footballer Grace Fitzpatrick-Ryan.
Closing his remarks, Keary paid tribute to his Teneo colleagues and the firm’s clients and partners present in the room. “It’s a deep privilege to be here,” he said, before handing back to the service team at the Conrad to serve dinner.
Image Credit: Sport for Business
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage on American Football
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