Over the past several months, there have been whispers that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) - current majority owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins - are looking to sell at least a minority stake in the team.
It has already been reported - first by Pierre LeBrun of TSN - that a group led by Penguins' legend and former majority owner Mario Lemieux is interested in purchasing back the team from FSG. The group includes former co-owner Ron Burkle and former Penguins' president David Moorhouse as well.
But, according to a new report, another group may be in the mix.
On Monday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Hoffman Family of Companies is interested in a potential purchase of the Penguins. Led by founder and chairman David Hoffman, the group is well-known in the state of Florida, as it purchased the Florida Everblades from the Carolina Hurricanes in 2019, and the ECHL team won three consecutive Kelly Cups from 2022-24.
According to Friedman, Hoffman has expressed previous interest in purchasing an NHL team, and if talks continue, Hoffman's son, Geoff - the company's co-CEO - is expected to be involved as well.
Back in January, it was reported that FSG was looking to sell a minority stake of the Penguins for investment purposes, and at the time, FSG co-founders Tom Werner and John Henry reiterated that they still planned to retain a majority share of the team.
They reiterated that desire even after the Lemieux reports broke, stating, "The focus is on identifying a small, passive partner, and that is the current framework under discussion with potential investors.”
FSG officially bought the Penguins on Dec. 9, 2021, for $900 million. The current valuation of the team - and presumed sale price - is now at $1.75 billion, and it's believed by some that Lemieux is not expected to meet that asking price.
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