Let's tell it like it is about this potential sale of the Steelers by some of the Rooney brothers. They are doing exactly what George W. Bush did with the Texas Rangers years ago that made his fortune. They blackmailed the public into building a new stadium for them, which dramatically increased the value of the franchise. Now they will sell the franchise and make a massive profit. The Rooney brothers just waited longer to fleece the public than Bush and his people did.

If governments were smart, they would refuse to build stadiums at public expense, but officials are afraid to be known for causing a professional team to move out of town, even though several studies have shown that there is no substantial financial loss to the area when that happens.

As an alternative, governments should determine the value of a franchise before a new stadium is approved, then if the owners sell the franchise at a later date for a profit, they should be required to return some of that profit to the community.

JOHN VARINE
Vandergrift

Rooneys should support Dan

I am apalled at the Rooney family's lack of support for Dan Rooney. I have been a season ticket holder since 1992 and have been a Steelers fan all my life. The Chief has to be looking down from heaven and shaking his fist at his descendants.

Art Rooney gave his heart and soul to the Steelers. He was never looking to "cash out".

Dan, I support you, and will continue to do so. I would gladly give you any money I can to keep my beloved Steelers out of the hands of your relatives and or some new buyer. I am sure a lot of my fellow Steelers fans feel the same way. Let me know where to send the check.

DAVID BROGAN
Baldwin

'Join the rotation night'

Here's a suggestion for a future fan attraction to a Pirates game. It could be called "Join the Rotation" Night. Twenty-seven fans get to suit up and pitch to one batter from the opposing team. Any fan that records an out wins a free trip to Bradenton and a try-out at spring training next year. The Pirates would need to deactivate a bunch of players to do this but probably the biggest problem would be that the opposing team would not want to forgo the opportunity to beef up their batting averages by facing the current starters.

JIM PATRICK
Mt. Lebanon