Steelers will pass on renewing sponsorship of free T rides
The Pittsburgh Steelers said Monday they don't plan to renew their sponsorship of free T service that brings thousands of fans to Heinz Field, raising questions about who's going to pay for the rides.
Port Authority of Allegheny County officials would not say what the announcement means for the free rides but had indicated they don't intend to let them go away.
The agreement expires in five weeks, but other sponsors are in the mix, and agency officials have said interest is high.
The North Shore Connector transports fans to 10 Steelers games a season, 81 Pirates games, University of Pittsburgh football games and concerts.
Two months ago, the Steelers said they planned to re-up as one of four sponsors under the original terms. Port Authority at the time said other bidders were offering a better deal.
“In December 2014, the Steelers advised the Port Authority that we were exercising the option to extend the agreement for two additional years. To our surprise, the Port Authority sent a reply letter stating they did not want to extend our agreement,” team spokesman Burt Lauten said.
“We were advised the Port Authority had other options for sponsorship of the Allegheny Station.
“At this time, the Steelers are no longer pursuing a sponsorship agreement with the Port Authority.”
Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie said the agency hopes the team reconsiders.
“Port Authority doesn't negotiate through the media but absolutely believes the extra service provided to the Steelers for home football games has significant value,” he said. “We hope the Steelers organization will continue to discuss possibilities for supporting this added transit service.”
The agency typically increases service on Steelers game days.
The Steelers, Rivers Casino, Alco Parking and the Sports & Exhibition Authority contributed $380,000 in the past year of the existing deal. Port Authority has not said who the other bidders are.
The free rides have been in place since the North Shore Connector opened three years ago. The deal contained a two-year renewal option that both sides would have to agree to exercise. The Port Authority has said there's a lot of interest in sponsorship and naming rights for the Allegheny Station. Part of the Steelers' deal included advertising there.
Alco Parking President Merrill Stabile said he's willing to up the ante of his share to keep the rides free. He said his company benefits from Downtown workers who park in Alco's North Shore lots and ride Downtown. He said the T has helped fill garages Downtown on game days for fans who ride the T to the stadiums.
“I wouldn't say it's finalized, but we're making progress. I don't see any bumps in the road,” Stabile said. “Absolutely it's a good deal for us. It's my goal to keep it going perpetually.”
Rivers Casino spokeswoman Emily Watts confirmed that the casino proposed renewing its sponsorship. She declined to comment further.
Alco and the SEA sponsored free trips to the North Side station while the Steelers and Rivers sponsored the trips to the Allegheny Station, which lets off outside Gate C of Heinz Field and within walking distance of the casino.
SEA Executive Director Mary Conturo said her agency is working with Alco to come up with a new sponsorship deal for the North Side station.
The Pirates were not a part of the original deal. A spokesman did not return a message.
Bobby Kerlik is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.
