High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The 1933 Pittsburgh Pirates was the debut season of the team that would eventually become the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team was founded after Pennsylvania relaxed its blue laws that, prior to 1933, prohibited sporting events from taking place on Sundays, when most NFL games took place. The new squad was composed largely of local semi-pro players, many of whom played for sports promoter Art Rooney. Rooney became the Pirates owner, paying the NFL a $2,500 fee to join the league. Except for a brief period in 1940 and `41, Rooney would remain the franchise`s principle owner until his death in 1988. The Rooney family has retained a controlling interest ever since. The team would take the field for the first time on September 20 against the New York Giants at Forbes Field, losing 23–2. The following week, the team would get its first win, defeating the Chicago Cardinals at home 14–13.