• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

How Lemieux Turned a 1999 Salary Deal Into $350M

  • Mario Lemieux turned a 1999 negotiation over $26 million in deferred salary into a Pittsburgh Penguins equity stake.
  • He will pocket over $350 million in the team’s sale.
Mario-Lemieux-Penguins
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

Mario Lemieux was a human highlight reel for much of the 1990s, but his best move may have come off the ice.

As part-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Lemieux will receive over $350 million from the team’s sale to Fenway Sports Group for around $900 million. In doing so, he is profiting from negotiations over his player salary from 1999.

  • The Penguins declared bankruptcy in 1998, citing losses of $37.5 million over the previous two seasons and deferred payments still owed to certain players, namely Lemieux.
  • Lemieux signed a seven-year, $42 million contract in 1992. He agreed to deferred payments to help the team through a difficult financial period caused in part by a lockout at the start of the 1994-95 season.
  • Still owed $26 million in 1999, Lemieux and the team struck a deal in which he received $20 million in equity and became part of a new ownership group.

Playing The Long Game

Lemieux purchased the team with Ron Burkle for $107 million, charting a course to pay off the team’s debt of $114 million.

Lemieux and Burkle nearly cashed out for $175 million in 2006 in a deal with businessman Jim Balsillie, but he walked away when the Penguins missed out on being awarded a casino license.

Lemieux will now pocket twice that amount while retaining a minority stake in the team.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) and center Sidney Crosby (87) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) talk before a face-off against the Boston Bruins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena.

Fenway Sports Weighs Penguins Options Amid ‘Serious’ Suitor

FSG previously said it was exploring the sale of a minority stake.

Mario Lemieux Trying to Reacquire Penguins 4 Years After Selling

The former NHL great looks to return to team ownership.
Devers

Devers Stunner Only Part of Wild Week for Fenway Sports Group

Red Sox fans immediately started making connections to soccer.
Jun 9, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Fans look on as Bryson DeChambeau practices on the practice green during a practice round for the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club.

U.S. Open Crowd Offers a Preview of Pittsburgh’s NFL Draft Moment

Oakmont Country Club is hosting its record 10th U.S. Open.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.