Mario Lemieux wants to buy back the Penguins!

The Pittsburgh Penguins may be heading for another ownership shuffle — and a familiar face could be back at the helm. According to insider Pierre LeBrun, sources say that Ron Burkle, Mario Lemieux, and David Morehouse are actively exploring the possibility of buying back the franchise from Fenway Sports Group.

“Hearing from sources that the group of Ron Burkle, Mario Lemieux and David Morehouse are investigating the possibility of buying back the Penguins from Fenway Sports. Burkle and Lemieux sold the Penguins to Fenway in 2021. Fenway has been looking to sell a partial share. Will be interesting to see where this goes…”

This could be a full-circle moment in the making. Burkle and Lemieux originally purchased the Penguins in 1999, rescuing the franchise from bankruptcy and leading them into one of the most successful eras in team history. Under their stewardship, Pittsburgh captured three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, 2017) and solidified its place among the NHL’s elite. In 2021, the duo sold the team to Fenway Sports Group but retained minority stakes.

Now, with Fenway reportedly open to selling a partial share of the team, the prospect of Lemieux returning to a more prominent role is generating plenty of buzz. Few figures are as intertwined with a franchise as Lemieux is with Pittsburgh due to his legendary playing career and then his role as savior-owner. Lemieux’s connection to the Penguins is unique in professional sports and fans in Pittsburgh would love to have him back at the helm.

At this time, the Penguins are at a crossroads, trying to remain competitive in the later years of the Sidney Crosby era while also planning for the future. Having Lemieux and Burkle back in charge could bring renewed confidence to the fanbase.

And there is a feeling that former Penguins superstar forward Jaromir Jagr could also be in the mix. He teased a visit to Pittsburgh via Instagram not too long ago and could be looking to join forces with Lemieux, like they did back on the ice decades ago.

But as LeBrun points out, this remains an exploratory stage. There are still many hurdles to clear before any deal materializes. But should it happen, it would mark yet another remarkable chapter in Lemieux’s ongoing Penguins legacy.

Stay tuned — this story is just getting started.