Mario Lemieux and business partner Ron Burkle have sold their remaining shares in the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Hoffmann family, reports The Athletic's Josh Yohe.
Lemieux and Burkle purchased the Penguins in 1999, saving the team from bankruptcy. They retained minority stakes when they sold the franchise to Fenway Sports Group in 2021. The Chicago-based Hoffmann family agreed to buy the Penguins from FSG in December.
Lemieux likes the team's new owners, and his decision to sell his remaining shares had been planned for some time, sources told Yohe. The Hoffmanns would reportedly like Lemieux to be involved in the organization in some capacity, and the franchise icon isn't opposed to the idea.
A reported rift between Lemieux and FSG largely kept him away from the club during the company's time as owner. Lemieux is expected to attend games on occasion this season, as he did last year after FSG sold the team.
Lemieux won two Stanley Cups and three Hart Trophies during his 17-year playing career in Pittsburgh. His 1,723 career points are the second most in franchise history; Sidney Crosby passed him for the top spot this past season.
