PITTSBURGH -- Dan Rooney got a little emotional when asked about the possibility of his buying a majority share of the Steelers.

"I hope we can get it worked out. I think it's important," Ronney told Channel 4 Action News' Janelle Hall.

Video: Dan Rooney Talks Possible Steelers Deal

"I want to say this: I don't dislike my brothers. This is a family and I'm not trying to be against them or anything like that. I think we've been fair and want to be fair. And that's the way I intend to do it," Rooney said.

National Football League team owners were told at their fall meetings this week that Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney could buy a majority of the franchise from his brothers by the end of the year, according to a report in The New York Times.

"Everybody would like to have it done by the end of the year, including the National Football League. So, you know, that sort of sets a deadline on it," Rooney said.

Four Rooney brothers -- Art Jr., Timothy, Patrick and John -- want to sell their shares to avoid a possible increase in the capital gains tax rate depending on the outcome of the presidential election, the Times said.

"I have been very clear with all the Rooney brothers that we would like to have this done on a fast timetable," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Fla., where the owners' meetings were held.

Goodell wants to resolve the situation soon, because there is not one person who owns at least 30 percent of the team, and because some of the Rooneys -- not Dan -- also own shares in racetracks that have casino gambling.

On both of those counts, the Steelers are violating league rules.

"We're sensitive to the emotional issues, the financial issues and the complexity of what needs to get done here," Goodell said. "I think everyone recognizes the complexity of the issue, and we'll be patient, but we want a plan put together that would get them into compliance."

Last month, Stanley Druckenmiller withdrew his bid for the Rooneys' shares after they couldn't agree to sell to him. Dan Rooney and his son, team president Art Rooney II, still have an offer on the table with unknown outside investors.

Dan Rooney owns 16 percent of the Steelers, as does each of his four brothers. The other 20 percent is owned by their cousins in the McGinley family, who have said they aren't interested in selling.

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