From Pittsburgh to Vienna: How A Steelers’ Fan Became Co-Owner of the Vienna Vikings
Football has always been more than a pastime for me. I grew up just outside of Pittsburgh in the 1970s — a golden era for football, especially for Steelers’ fans. Between 1974 and 1979, the Steelers won four Super Bowls — what a time to be part of the Steeler Nation! And for a child coming of age in Western Pennsylvania, football wasn’t just a sport — it was part of my DNA.
As I grew into adulthood and my job took me all over the world, I never gave up on the Pittsburgh Steelers — to this day, I remain a devoted fan with season tickets. Of course, today, I live in Vienna, Austria, and don’t often make it to Pittsburgh, but my children go to games, and I join them whenever I can. Fortunately, I found another way to get my daily football fix: the Vienna Vikings.
Joining the Vienna Vikings
When I was presented with the opportunity to become co-owner (and lawyer) of the Vienna Vikings, one of Europe’s most outstanding American football teams, I didn’t think twice. While soccer is unquestionably the most popular sport in Europe, the idea of promoting American football in Vienna appealed to me on several levels.
On a personal level, I’m a huge football fan, no matter what continent it’s being played on. And to have the opportunity to move from fan, aka spectator, to actually being involved in the day-to-day decisions and management of a team — it’s something of a dream come true. Over the years, I even built close friendships with players like the late Franco Harris, a Pittsburgh legend, and we worked on a few business projects together.
On a professional level, the investment potential is enormous, not unlike a burgeoning startup. While the Vienna Vikings are an established team with a long and proud tradition in Austria, they hadn’t yet made an impact at the international level when I joined. The Vikings had been a national amateur powerhouse and only recently joined the international European League of Football (ELF), a professional European league. I felt this was a prime moment to join the team and help it expand from the somewhat limiting national level into an international high-flier.
Of course, as with any startup, there are challenges and questions along the way. How will the Vikings compete on an international level? How will we get the best players? Will fans remain loyal to the team in the new league?
All of these questions, I understood, could be addressed with strategy, forward planning, and strong leadership. And as a lawyer and a lifelong football fan, I felt I had something to contribute.
A Deeper Look at the Vienna Vikings
Austria has an impressive football development system, with nearly 1,000 players at the high school level working their way up from amateur leagues to the professional level. This offers a vast pool of local talent when it comes time for the draft.
ELF rules stipulate that teams can only draft four American players — this rule keeps the playing field fair (pun intended) and prevents an unsustainable “arms race” for foreign stars, which is what doomed previous European football leagues.
Unlike some teams in ELF who rely heavily on their American players, who often bring to the table NFL-caliber talent, the Vienna Vikings rely on a mix of local, European, and American talent.
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That combination matters. Last season, for example, we were playing in Poland — behind all game, without our starting quarterback. Even our backup got injured mid-game. That’s when our third-string QB, a 40-year-old who hadn’t played professionally in years, stepped up. Against all odds, he led the final drive and won the game in the last 30 seconds. That’s the kind of resilience and depth we’re building.
American Football vs. European Football
American football in Europe is still catching up to the NFL — there’s no denying that. But that’s also what makes this journey exciting. There’s an authenticity here, a real desire to achieve the highest possible level of professionalism.
Unlike soccer, which often skews male and rowdy in its European fan base, American football here is a family affair. You’ll see parents and kids enjoying the game together — a dynamic that’s helped the sport grow across different audiences. The fact that English is the sport’s official language also broadens the audience to include diverse people from different backgrounds.
The Future of American Football in Europe Looks Bright
I’m optimistic about the future of American football in Europe, both as a fan and as an investor. Last year, millions of people showed up and tuned in to watch the European championship game, the Eurobowl. The Vienna Vikings reached the final, though we came up just short. But the growing international audience is undeniable.
The Vienna Vikings, in particular, have a wide and expanding fan base that extends beyond Austria. Vienna’s historical role as a cultural capital draws in fans from Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, and beyond — making the Vikings more than just Austria’s team.
Toward an NFL Europe?
We’re in discussions with several NFL teams about building strategic partnerships. The idea of an eventual NFL Europe division featuring cities like London, Frankfurt, and hopefully Vienna is no longer a pipe dream. It makes strategic sense for the league, and we believe Vienna is in a “sweet spot” to be a part of that future.
Personally, I believe football remains a source of joy. I love the sport, enjoy it with my children whenever possible, and am fully invested in the Vikings’ growth and expansion.
Yes, there’s still work to do. The NFL has set certain standards, and Europe needs to catch up. But the trajectory is clear. The enthusiasm is real. And the foundation we are building is solid.
And I’m proud to be part of it.
