Whispers from the hockey world suggest a familiar figure is considering a dramatic return to influence the fate of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Reports indicate that a group including team icon and former owner Mario Lemieux is exploring the possibility of repurchasing the National Hockey League franchise from its current owner, Fenway Sports Group (FSG).
This development, initially reported by The Athletic and subsequently picked up by various outlets, proposes that Lemieux, alongside previous co-owner Ron Burkle and former Penguins chief executive Dave Morehouse, is investigating the financial avenues required to regain control of the team they sold to FSG in 2021. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is reportedly aware of the group`s interest.
For Penguins fans, the name Mario Lemieux is synonymous with the franchise`s most triumphant periods. Lemieux`s initial foray into ownership was nothing short of heroic, leading a group that rescued the team from bankruptcy in 1999, a move that effectively prevented the franchise from potentially relocating or ceasing operations. This pivotal moment paved the way for an era that would see the Penguins secure three Stanley Cup championships (2009, 2016, 2017) under his ownership, complementing the two he delivered as a player in the early 1990s.
Since the sale to FSG just over two years ago, the on-ice fortunes of the Penguins have seen a notable downturn. The team`s streak of playoff appearances, which ran uninterrupted from 2007 to 2022, was broken in the 2023 playoffs, and they missed the postseason again in 2024. Their 80 points in the most recent season represented the franchise`s lowest total in a full 82-game schedule since 2005-06, Sidney Crosby`s rookie year, a season that also featured Lemieux`s final games as a player. Accompanying this decline in performance has been a reported dip in fan support, with the team selling just 91.4 percent of available tickets last season, the lowest figure of the Crosby era.
The current valuation of the Penguins is estimated to be between $1.47 billion and $1.75 billion. Reports suggest the Lemieux-led group is hoping that FSG might consider a `reasonable` price, potentially influenced by the team`s recent struggles and the decrease in attendance. While FSG has publicly stated it is open to adding a minority investor, the Lemieux group`s reported ambition appears to be focused on a more significant stake, potentially outright control.
The notion of Lemieux returning to the helm during a challenging phase for the franchise holds significant narrative weight. Having previously saved the team from financial ruin and guided them through periods of immense success, his interest now emerges as the team navigates performance issues and seeks a clear path forward. Whether financial discussions progress to a concrete offer and whether FSG is receptive to selling a controlling interest remain open questions, but the potential return of the legendary figure adds a compelling storyline to the future of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Elton Marrow 
Torin Vale