* Mike Florio…
Plenty of Steelers fans currently are upset with the performance of coach Mike Tomlin, given the team’s inability to get back to the Super Bowl or, more specifically, to get past the Patriots. (And now the Jaguars.) A small group of Steelers fans who own pieces of the franchise’s equity are particularly miffed with Tomlin — sufficiently miffed that they want to see a change get made.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, some of the team’s limited partners intend to lobby owner Art Rooney to fire of Tomlin and to hire a new coach.
The limited partners, who became involved nearly a decade ago as member of the Rooney family sold their interest in the team after acquiring gaming interests that violate league policy, have no authority over the management of the team, but they have a pipeline to owner Art Rooney. Per the source, they plan to utilize it.
The group of limited partners includes Rob Citrone, Paul Evanson, Larry Paul, Stephen Paul, Bruce Rauner, Paul Sams, John Stallworh, Benjamin Statler, Scott Swank, David Tepper, Thomas Tull, Peter Varischetti, and Mike Wilkins.
Um, OK.
* From Pritzker’s campaign manager, who is a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan…
Thoughts?
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:19 pm:
Apparently he found one place where he wants to take charge.
- Perrid - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:21 pm:
Is the article saying Rauner wants Tomlin fired, or saying that he is a limited partner, and separately saying some limited partners want the guy fired? Like is the list at the end all of the partners, or just the ones that want him gone?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:22 pm:
===Is the article saying===
The article is linked. Read it.
- ughh... - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:22 pm:
Because Rauner…
- Cynic - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:23 pm:
Are we sure Bruce Rauner is saying this? It doesn’t sound like him at all. He’s not blaming Madigan.
- Ole' Nelson - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:23 pm:
Bruce wants to be “in charge” until he is “in charge”, then it is all on somebody else. Who can blame him? Taking arrows hypothetically while bragging to your caucus is much easier than taking the real, painful arrows of actually governing.
- WhoKnew - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:24 pm:
What’s this thing with Rauner about people named Mike? /s
- Glengarry - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:25 pm:
If they fire Tomlin, Big Ben retires. This is yet another boneheaded waste of time by Governor not in charge/junk.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:25 pm:
Caprara +1
- Anon - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:25 pm:
Pressing owners who created a rule (named after them!) to address lack of minority hiring in the NFL to fire the most prominent and successful black coach in the NFL, seems politically bad? Particularly, on the heels of the national GOP conversation on race last week and the holiday yesterday?
But what do I know?
- Shore - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:26 pm:
The article doesn’t say he’s pushing for Tomlin to go, just that he’s a minority owner and that some of that group may be trying to push the coach out. Nice try.
- Concerned Observer - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:26 pm:
Something Something Madigan and the Jaguars he controls….
- Wrong - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:27 pm:
This headline is plain inaccurate.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:27 pm:
First of all…
Do yourself a serious solid and check out her twitter. There is comedy gold, especially Eagles tweets.
To the Post,
It’s a fun trolling, it’s highlighting Rauner taking an interest in what Rauner wants to take an interest in too.
Without getting too far into the weeds, as a person with more than a few Steelers/Wetstern Pennsylvania family members, the in-game coaching was suspect, so a review of Tomlin, a Suoer Bowl champion coach, the youngest to do so, is warrented.
The fact Rauner wants the “Executive” to be held accountable for the overall … runs counter to the “I’m not in charge” thingy Rauner says, and if Tomlin said it after the game, what would Rauner say to the Rooney family?
- paddyrollingstone - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:27 pm:
I have never heard a bad word about the Rooney family but now that I found out that they sold part of the team to Rauner, I have.
- DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:28 pm:
This may be the funniest headline in a long time.
I literally thought it was the Capfax Onion.
- FreeCake - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:30 pm:
Just another example of Madigan contributing to high black unemployment.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:31 pm:
I don’t know the Guv, but he doesn’t strike me as the type of guy who avidly follows sports. I would be surprised if he really had much of an opinion on who the head coach is.
I would think this is just an investment (albeit one with more cachet) for him and not much else.
- SammyG - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:31 pm:
Reading the comments, it looks like a lot of people want Tomlin fired because he’s black. Rauner keeps finding ways to be around nutbag racists.
- ughh... - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:33 pm:
Update:
http://nfltraderumors.co/report-steelers-limit-partners-plan-lobby-hc-mike-tomlin-fired/
A source tells Jason La Canfora that the odds of Tomlin being pushed out as head coach of the Steelers by minority owners or otherwise are “zero percent.”
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:34 pm:
===The article doesn’t say he’s pushing for Tomlin to go===
It says he’s part of the group of the partners who is.
“some of the team’s limited partners… The group of limited partners includes”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:36 pm:
==It says he’s part of the group of the partners who is.
“some of the team’s limited partners… The group of limited partners includes”==
It doesn’t say those are the people doing this. It says those are the limited partners. At best, it isn’t clear.
- ste_with_a_v_en - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:37 pm:
When it comes down to it,he has 2 Super Bowl appearances, one Lombardi Trophy (more than a lot of good coaches), he’s trailing only Belichick in regular season winning pct and he’s top 7 in playoff winning pct (and not really far behind most of the people leading him). This organization is loyal to it’s coaches because they win. Tomlin wins like a top coach in this league, I wouldn’t want anyone else at the helm.
Firing Tomlin is a huge mistake. He’s a top current head coach. How much Rauner actually wants to fire him seems irrelevant, the Rooney’s will do as they have always done.
- ughh... - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:37 pm:
–Is the article saying Rauner wants Tomlin fired–
It said 11 of 12 limited owners want him fired, but then listed 13 owners, then scrubbed the 11 of 12 version
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:38 pm:
===It says those are the limited partners===
It says that’s the group of limited partners.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:40 pm:
===It doesn’t say those are the people doing this.===
(Sigh)
It’s some of the limited partners, Rauner is a limited partner.
Rauner could deny he wants Tomlin fired at any time, since owning part of the Steelers isn’t in a blind trust or anything…
#RichGuyProblems.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:42 pm:
===It said 11 of 12 limited owners want him fired, but then listed 13 owners, then scrubbed the 11 of 12 version===
… which is why I asked aloud what I asked…
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:43 pm:
Doggonnit, if Bruce can’t get term limits in Illinois, he will try to get them in the Steelers coaching office.
It’s remarkable they have only had 3 head coaches since BEFORE Madigan was first elected to the ILGA.
- A State Employee Guy - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:44 pm:
Yeah, I have a thought… the Eagles are garbage, as is the city of Philadelphia. Go Vikes!
- CDs are great - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:44 pm:
Okay, I missed the part where it says 11 of 12 want him fired. Where is that?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:47 pm:
==Reading the comments, it looks like a lot of people want Tomlin fired because he’s black. Rauner keeps finding ways to be around nutbag racists==
And yet Pritzker is associating with Eagles fans, well known to be among the worst people in sports
- Anonish - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 2:51 pm:
There are 6 minority coaches in the NFL out of 32 teams.
Why in the holy bad place would you wade anywhere near this issue ever let alone an election year?
- Huh? - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:02 pm:
1.4% is just looking out for his investment. Unlike the State of Illinois in which he has no interest at all.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:05 pm:
I suspect the Illinois Policy Institute will provide a fine Head Coach.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:10 pm:
I’m glad the governor has found something to kill time when he’s not accessorizing his Village People costumes or sewing patches on his vest.
When you’re not in charge, the days can get awfully long.
I think the Rooneys will show Rauner and the rest just how “limited” their “partnership” is.
They’re glorified season ticket holders. For their money, they get tickets, swag, bragging rights and first crack at the dessert cart in the lux boxes.
Just who did these geniuses think is available at this late date, anyway? Bob Zuppke? Who gets fired after a 13-win season (JJ firing JJ post-bar-fight in Dallas doesn’t count)?
The defensive coordinator likely will take the fall. The Steelers aren’t supposed to lose when they score 42 points.
The Steelers and the rest of the AFC North can just be thankful they don’t have the mighty Bears on their schedules next year to give them all another whipping.
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/joe-starkey/2018/01/14/Joe-Starkey-Humiliating-loss-should-have-Art-Rooney-II-demanding-change/stories/201801140220
- Happy Retiree - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:14 pm:
Did Rauner not divest himself from his business interests?
- Regeaning - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:18 pm:
Tomlin stinks out loud. If you watched that game, you know in your heart he should be fired. Hot take of the day: Blake Bortles is an elite qb.
Just want to leave everyone with this: Brady, Bortles, Keenum, Foles. Think about that.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:25 pm:
=== as member of the Rooney family sold their interest in the team after acquiring gaming interests===
Well this brings up a good question that maybe Anne Caprara can answer about Pritzker’s family interest in the Elgin riverboat. What’s is his stance on gaming expansion? And a more interesting question what influence did he have on Gov Quinn vetoing two gaming bills that would helped Chicago, the racing industry, Rockford, Waukegan, south suburbs, Danville, etc.?
- OurMagician - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:27 pm:
Rauner simply doesn’t like anyone named Mike and wants them all gone.
- Pieroge tirebiter - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:37 pm:
The Steelers should listen to him because he’s been successful at everything you’ve ever done….Oh, wait.
- ughhh - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:41 pm:
–Okay, I missed the part where it says 11 of 12 want him fired. Where is that? –
Probably in someone’s cache
- NorthsideNoMore - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 3:42 pm:
If I had a stake in the team thought 1 They got smoked at home in what was supposed to be a SB year (or at least get beat by TFB and the Pats trying). 2 Tomlins star has faded,its been a long time in the Steel city since they had a sniff at the title, time to go work elsewhere, his guys were not ready.
- The Captain - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:05 pm:
I’m not going to decide which Steelers coaching candidate I support until we find out who Liberty Principles is backing.
- say no to big government - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:09 pm:
“I have never heard a bad word about the Rooney family but now that I found out that they sold part of the team to Rauner, I have.”
The Rooney family was forced to sell a part of the team by the NFL. Some of the Rooneys had investments in horse race tracks and the NFL didn’t like it. The remaining Rooneys with ownership interest didn’t have the money to buy out the other Rooneys, hence the sale of part of the team to Rauner et al. How do I know this? My father knows one of the minority owners (and not Rauner).
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:16 pm:
First–The Captain–excellent
Second, a bunch of outsized ego multimillionaires/billionaires all wanting to play fantasy football with a real football team is the definition of hell.
- Regeaning - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:27 pm:
Anyone who thinks Tomlin deserves his job after that game does not watch football. The Titans fired Mularkey for being a stinker. Why should Tomlin be spared? Every player, coach, towel boy, janitor, etc should be fired from the Cleveland Browns.
- blue dog dem - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:36 pm:
This is the final straw. Not voting for Rauner.
- James Knell - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 4:50 pm:
= Anyone who thinks Tomlin deserves his job after that game does not watch football. The Titans fired Mularkey for being a stinker. Why should Tomlin be spared? Every player, coach, towel boy, janitor, etc should be fired from the Cleveland Browns.=
And if the Jags upset the Precious Patriots are you going to fire Belichick too? Jeez.
- Pritzker's Toilet - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 5:03 pm:
—How do I know this? —
Cause the media widely reported on it and you are mildly interested in football?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8116be9a/article/rooney-brothers-complete-paperwork-in-steelers-ownership-deal
—My father knows one of the minority owners (and not Rauner).—
OO, nvm, you actually just wanted to anonymously say that your father knows a millionaire/billionaire…weird set up, but ok
- Barrett - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 7:20 pm:
The Steelers scored 42 points. How can you fault a coach who loses a playoff game when your team scores 6 touchdowns?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 8:47 pm:
Given the Governor’s week, is it because he thinks Mike Tomlin’s a racist?
- Pritzker's Toilet - Tuesday, Jan 16, 18 @ 11:02 pm:
—The Steelers scored 42 points. How can you fault a coach who loses a playoff game when your team scores 6 touchdowns? —
because they let up 6 TDs and a fg???
- Colin O'Scopey - Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 8:22 am:
Let me get this straight: you fail to produce results as the top leader of and organization so you should be fired….hmmm where else can we apply that logic?
- Reaganing - Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 8:55 am:
- And if the Jags upset the Precious Patriots are you going to fire Belichick too? Jeez. -
That’s a logical fallacy. The two situations are not in any way synonymous. If you have arguably the best running back in the league, arguably the best wide receiver in the league, a veteran qb with two superbowls, and you lose a divisional game at home in what was supposed to be your year? Yes, fire that coach.
- because they let up 6 TDs and a fg -
Exactly. He mishandled that game.
- Reaganing - Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 9:02 am:
Am I supposed to actually believe Ben Roethlisberger does not have the ability to run a qb sneak on 4th and 1? And fail on 4th and 1 twice in a close game
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Jan 17, 18 @ 9:23 am:
That’s right, the NFL is a “results-oriented business” (just ask the McCaskeys, right?) apparently unlike Illinois politics.