Pittsburgh Becomes Newest City in the Alliance
AAF Expands in America to Pittsburgh
April 5, 2022
Pittsburgh, PA - David S. Blitzer, Joshua Harris and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment LLC announced that the Pittsburgh Linemen would be joining the AAF for the 2023 season as an expansion team. Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment LLC (HBSE) are majority owners of the NHL's New Jersey Devils, the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and are current minority owners of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.
HBSE have been minority owners of the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2019 when former Steelers minority owner David Tepper sold his shares to them in order to purchase the NFL's Carolina Panthers. HBSE become the first active NFL ownership group to join the Alliance.
David S. Blitzer made this statement about joining the Alliance,
“We love Pittsburgh. We love the Steelers and this (Alliance) team just further shows that love. We will be working alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, not against them. We look forward to joining the Alliance.”
HBSE introduced the crowd to their newest Head Coach, former Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach, Mike Mularkey. Mularkey played for the Steelers from 1989 to 1991 and was their Offensive Coordinator from 2001 to 2003.
Joining Mularkey in Pittsburgh will be former Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Coordinator (2004-2006) and Arizona Cardinals Head Coach (2007-2012) Ken Whisenhunt as the Linemen's OC. Whisenhunt also served as the Tennessee Titans Head Coach in 2014-2015 and most recently the Los Angeles Chargers OC from 2016 to 2019. Former Buffalo Bills Head Coach Gregg Williams will also be joining Mularkey's staff as the Defensive Coordinator. Williams has most recently served as the New York Jets DC from 2018-2020. Williams also served as the DC for nine NFL clubs over his 30 year NFL coaching career.
Former Cleveland Browns' QB Kelly Holcomb will also be joining the staff as the QBs Coach.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills General Manager Tom Donahoe will hold the same position with the Linemen.
The Linemen will be playing their home games at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. They'll also be headquartered at the same facility of the Pittsburgh Steelers, UPMC Sports Performance Complex.