The NHL was buzzing on Wednesday after Pittsburgh Penguins ownership officially changed hands. Fenway Sports Group has agreed to sell the team to the Hoffmann Family of Companies in a deal valued at roughly $1.7 billion.
The key question is how this will affect Mario Lemieux’s involvement with the team.
Mario Lemieux Could Play a Major Role After Penguins’ $1.7B Sale
With the ownership change now official, attention has quickly shifted to Lemieux, one very familiar name in Pittsburgh. An NHL insider believes the change in ownership could open the door for the franchise legend to take on a more hands-on role with the team in the future.
The Hoffmann family brings hockey experience to Pittsburgh, having owned the Florida Everblades, who won three straight ECHL championships from 2022 to 2024.
Lemieux is set to retain a small ownership stake in the Penguins, holding roughly 2.5% of the team.
Throughout Fenway Sports Group’s ownership, his involvement was minimal, with Lemieux mostly staying out of the spotlight aside from occasional public appearances. A reported financial disagreement behind closed doors created distance between the two sides and kept Lemieux from playing a larger role.
Now, with new majority ownership in place, Lemieux could be open to having a larger role with the organization, according to NHL insider Josh Yohe.
“It always goes back to Mario,” Yohe said. “No athlete in history has been more synonymous with a franchise than Lemieux is with the Penguins. Of course, he plays a role in this situation. The Hoffmanns have a chance to take advantage of FSG’s mistakes and snuggle themselves right into your hearts.”
Yohe also pointed out that FSG has had a strained relationship with Lemieux for years. Lemieux may also have wanted some distance after owning the team for more than two decades. But Yohe argued that having him around again would mean a great deal to the fan base.
A source close to Lemieux said he might be willing to meet with the Hoffmann family. Yohe added that securing Lemieux’s support would be the easiest way for the new owners to connect with Pittsburgh fans.
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Yohe also noted that Fenway Sports Group kept David Ortiz closely tied to the Boston Red Sox, while Lemieux’s connection to Pittsburgh is even stronger.
He added, “Getting Mario on your side changes everything. Pittsburgh fans just want him to be around in some capacity. That was one of FSG’s biggest failings.”
Whether the new ownership will bring Lemieux back remains to be seen.