Whispers from the hockey world suggest a development that would send ripples through Pittsburgh and the NHL: the potential return of its most revered figure to the owner`s box. Reports indicate that a group led by none other than Hall of Famer and former owner Mario Lemieux is “very interested” in buying back the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise.
This isn`t just any group; it reportedly includes Lemieux`s former co-owner Ron Burkle and former chief executive Dave Morehouse. This is the same trio that sold the team to Fenway Sports Group (FSG) back in 2021. Now, less than three years later, they are reportedly exploring their financial options to potentially regain control of the storied club.
The timing is, perhaps, conspicuously coincidental. Since the sale to FSG, the Penguins have experienced a notable dip in performance, missing the playoffs in the last two seasons after a remarkable 16-year streak. Last season saw the team post its lowest point total in an 82-game schedule since 2005-06, the very season Sidney Crosby arrived and overlapped briefly with Lemieux as a player. Fan support, as evidenced by ticket sales figures reportedly at their lowest point in the Crosby era, appears to reflect the on-ice results. One could argue that the team`s fortunes took a rather abrupt turn following the change in ownership.
It`s reported that the Lemieux group is hopeful that FSG might be open to considering a “reasonable” price for the team, potentially acknowledging that the recent struggles and decreased fan engagement might slightly temper the valuation, which currently sits somewhere north of $1.4 billion.
For Penguins fans, the thought of Lemieux returning to ownership isn`t just about business; it`s deeply tied to the franchise`s identity and history. “Le Magnifique” isn`t merely a legend for his dazzling play and two Stanley Cups in the early `90s; he`s also the man who saved the team from likely relocation or extinction in the late 1990s by becoming an owner. He then oversaw the drafting of Sidney Crosby and the subsequent three Stanley Cup championships. His connection to the Penguins runs deeper than perhaps any other figure to any other franchise in modern sports.
While FSG has publicly stated they are exploring adding a minority investor – a different proposition entirely – the reported interest from the Lemieux group signals a potential alternative path. The NHL Commissioner, Gary Bettman, is reportedly aware of the group`s exploration.
Whether this interest evolves into formal negotiations or a serious bid remains to be seen. However, the prospect of Mario Lemieux returning to the helm of the Pittsburgh Penguins, particularly after the team`s recent performance downturn under different ownership, adds a fascinating, full-circle dynamic to the ongoing narrative of this proud franchise.
