Steelers and BVB partnership beyond the Black & Gold — it's a strategic bridge between two "Steel Cities"

The partnership between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Borussia Dortmund moved from the front office to the pitch this week.On Wednesday, the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex hosted youth athletes for the BVB International Academy North America tryouts—a landmark moment for the collaboration announced last year.On the latest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer, Pittsburgh Soccer Now's caught up with BVB’s Dru Wright (Chief Football Officer - BVB International Academy North America) and and the Steelers’ Reagan Berube (Sr Director Content and International Development) to discuss the tangible impact of this global bridge.From coaching education and School of Excellence scouting to hosting flag football in Germany, learn how these two legendary organizations are leveraging their shared Steel City DNA to create a unique holistic environment for local players.Topics and Highlights of the interview included: The Steel City Synergy: How the shared industrial heritage and Black & Gold identity of Pittsburgh and Dortmund created a natural foundation for this partnership.A Very Real Connection: Why hosting youth tryouts at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex is a major milestone in making the partnership tangible for local families.The BVB Way: Dru Wright explains the Heavy Metal football philosophy—high tempo, high intensity, and a focus on doing things the right way.Global Brand Expansion: Reagan Berube discusses the Steelers’ international efforts in Germany, including flag football camps and official watch parties at Signal Iduna Park.Player Pathways: Details on the School of Excellence program and the direct scouting line for Pittsburgh players (both male and female) to train in Germany.Holistic Development: Moving beyond pay-to-play to focus on building professional skill sets that serve athletes both on and off the pitch.Coaching Education: The commitment to developing local Western PA coaches through monthly calls and direct mentorship from BVB’s German staff.Future Vision: A look at the step-by-step growth of the collaboration and the potential for more international soccer events returning to Pittsburgh.About the guests: Dru Wright, Chief Football Officer - BVB International Academy North America Dru is the gatekeeper of the "BVB Way." Dortmund is world-famous for its youth development (think Pulisic, Bellingham, Haaland). Wright’s goal is to ensure the Pittsburgh kids aren’t just wearing the badge but are actually learning the Dortmund methodology.Reagan Berube, Sr Director Content and International Development, Pittsburgh SteelersReagan is a key architect of the Steelers' international expansion. Since the Steelers received NFL marketing rights for Germany in 2024, they’ve been aggressive in building a "home away from home" in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).