Does Mario Lemieux Still Own The Pittsburgh Penguins

So, you’re sitting there with your morning coffee, and out of nowhere, a thought hits you: Does Mario Lemieux still own the Pittsburgh Penguins? It’s a simple question, right? Wrong. Like everything in hockey, the answer is a little slipperier than a fresh sheet of ice.

Let’s start with the obvious. Yes, Mario Lemieux is still very much involved with the Penguins. He isn’t just a former player who waves from the luxury box. He’s a part of the fabric of the organization.

But here’s the kicker: he’s not the day-to-day owner anymore. That changed back in 2021. The Fenway Sports Group (you know, the folks who own the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC) bought a controlling stake in the team.

Wait, what? Did Mario sell out? Did he trade his kingdom for a bunch of cash? Let’s not panic. He’s still a minority owner. He’s not completely gone. Think of it like renting your house to a friend, but you still keep the master bedroom.

The Great Shuffle of 2021

Picture this: November 2021. Mario Lemieux and his longtime partner Ron Burkle decide to sell a majority interest. Fenway Sports Group steps in. Boom. New sheriff in town.

But here’s the part that makes Mario a legend. He didn’t just walk away with a bag of money and a handshake. He stayed on as a member of the ownership group. He even kept his title as “Principal Owner” for a little while. Like, “I’m still the godfather, but I’m letting you drive the car.”

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Today, Mario’s role is more advisory. He’s the guy you call for big decisions. He’s the hockey genius who whispers into the new owners’ ears. Imagine being a billionaire and saying, “Hmm, I wonder what Mario thinks about this trade.”

So, Does He Own the Team? Sorta.

Technically? No. He doesn’t own a majority stake. Fenway Sports Group holds the checkbook. They make the final calls on salaries, arena hot dogs, and whether the Zamboni driver gets a bonus.

Practically? Yes. He’s still a significant owner. He has a seat at the big table. He’s the guy who can walk into the locker room and have every single player—including Sidney Crosby—shut up and listen. That kind of ownership can’t be bought.

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Let me put it this way: if Mario walks into PPG Paints Arena tomorrow and says, “I don’t like the carpet in the hallway,” you’d better believe that carpet is gone by lunch. He’s not the boss of the building, but he’s the soul of it.

Why Didn’t He Just Sell It All?

Good question. Maybe you’d want to retire to a private island and count your Stanley Cup rings. But Mario? He’s not built that way. He’s got history here. He saved the franchise from bankruptcy in 1999.

That’s the part people forget. Before he became an owner, the Penguins were circling the drain. They were this close to moving to, I don’t know, Kansas City. Mario stepped in, waved his magic stick, and kept the team in Pittsburgh. He literally paid players out of his own pocket. Legend.

So selling a majority stake? It was smart. It brought in billions of dollars in new capital. It guaranteed the team’s future. And Mario still gets to wear the “Owner” badge on his sweater. Win-win.

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What Does Mario Do Now?

He’s the chairman of the board. That’s a fancy title that means “I show up to important meetings and drop wisdom.” He’s also heavily involved in the team’s charity work and community stuff. You know, the stuff that actually matters.

And let’s be real: he’s probably still the best ad-lib hockey advisor in the world. If the Penguins are scouting a kid from Sweden, you bet Mario has an opinion. He’s got six scoring titles. His opinion is gold.

Also, he’s watching games from his private suite. He’s probably eating a hot dog and thinking, “I could still score on that goalie.” And you know what? He probably could. Don’t test him.

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The Bottom Line

So, does Mario Lemieux still own the Pittsburgh Penguins? The honest answer is: yes, just not in the way you think. He’s not the guy signing every check or firing the general manager. But he’s the guy whose name is still on the trophy case.

Think of it like your cool uncle who used to own the family business. He sold it to a big corporation, but he still comes to the holiday party, and everyone still calls him “Boss.” That’s Mario. Forever the Boss.

Next time you watch a Penguins game, look for him. He’s there. In a suit. Probably laughing at something. And deep down, he knows: this is still his house. He just let someone else pay the mortgage.

And that, my friend, is how hockey legends stay legends. Now, finish your coffee. There’s a face-off coming up.