Kate Mara Addresses Rumor She Has a ‘Super Bowl Clause’ in Contract Due to Family’s NFL Ties
Actress Kate Mara left listeners stunned during an appearance on TFI Friday Unplugged on Virgin Radio UK when she revealed that her direct relatives founded two of the NFL’s most storied franchises: the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“My great-grandfather on my dad’s side founded the New York Giants, and then my great grandpa on my mom’s side founded the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Mara said during the interview. “It’s insane.”
The revelation drew widespread reaction online after a clip from the interview was posted on the radio channel’s Instagram page.
During the appearance, Mara addressed a persistent rumor that she has a “Super Bowl clause” written into every acting contract.
“No,” she said, before explaining the story’s origin. “I mean, I did one year when I was filming 24; the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the Super Bowl and I was filming the day after the Super Bowl. ... At the time I didn’t have a lot of clout, so I wasn’t able to convince them to let me off that morning. I wasn’t going to be able to make it back in time to film, and so I had to miss the Super Bowl. So then I said, ‘Ok, well, any time moving forward if it’s near the Super Bowl, we have to make sure that if either the New York Giants or the Steelers are in, that I’ll be able to go to the Super Bowl,’ and then someone thought that that was, ‘Oh well, now she has it in every contract.’”
“It’s not true,” she added.
Giants Roots Run Deep
Kate’s great-grandfather on her father’s side was Timothy Mara. He purchased the New York Giants franchise in 1925 for just $500 at a time when the National Football League was still finding its footing. Tim (1887–1959) was a vital part of the team and the league from 1925 until his death, helping the Giants pave their way as a team during the NFL’s early seasons.
His son Wellington Mara (1916–2005) continued that tradition and went on to become one of the most admired figures in NFL history. He started working with the Giants in the 1930s and assumed greater leadership responsibilities after World War II. He eventually became co-owner and president of the franchise. His association with the team — and the league as a whole — lasted nearly 70 years, from the 1930s until his passing in 2005. Over that time, he played a key role in shaping both the Giants and the modern NFL, advocating for stability, competitive fairness and sustained growth throughout the league.
On her mother’s side, Kate is the great-granddaughter of Art Rooney (1901–1988), who founded the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933. He stayed actively engaged with both the team and the NFL throughout his life. Widely recognized for his strong ties to Pittsburgh, Art played a key role in turning the Steelers into one of the league’s most esteemed franchises. His enduring dedication and consistent leadership contributed significantly to the growth of the NFL and influenced its identity.
A Family Steeped in Football
Kate is not the only Mara sister to discuss growing up connected to the NFL’s founding families. Her sister Rooney Mara — whose first name is a nod to the Steelers dynasty — told The Scotsman in August 2013, “I didn’t love football growing up, and I’m not obsessed with it, but it’s a huge part of my heritage.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
