Penguins fans demand Sidney Crosby remain untouchable as Hoffmann family rises in ownership race | NHL News
The future of the Pittsburgh Penguins may be entering a defining chapter, as reports of ownership changes continue to swirl. With the Chicago-based Hoffmann family stepping forward as serious buyers, questions about the team’s identity, Sidney Crosby’s role, and how fans want their franchise to be run are dominating conversations in Pittsburgh.
Hoffmann family brings hockey credibility and community ties
David Hoffmann, who purchased the ECHL’s Florida Everblades in 2019, has become a strong candidate alongside his son Geoffrey, co-CEO of the Hoffmann Family of Companies. Under their guidance, the Everblades captured three straight Kelly Cup titles between 2022 and 2024—a resume that signals they understand how to build a winning culture.Their community-first approach has also resonated, with initiatives such as a hockey camp for children with type 1 diabetes inspired by Geoffrey’s son. If their $1.75 billion bid succeeds, it would nearly double the $900 million Fenway Sports Group (FSG) paid in 2021, when they took majority control from Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle.While some fans would love to see Lemieux’s return, the price tag alone makes that unlikely. As one supporter put it, “I’d still prefer to have Lemieux and his group back as majority owners, but at least these guys know hockey. So it should be better than the mess FSG made when they took over.”
Fans voice mixed reactions as ownership future remains uncertain
FSG’s stewardship hasn’t been without controversy. While they rebranded AT&T SportsNet into SportsNet Pittsburgh and invested in media control, on-ice results have dipped. The Penguins have made just one playoff appearance since the takeover, missing back-to-back postseasons as their win percentage dropped from .628 to .488.To many, the group has felt impersonal. One fan summarized the sentiment bluntly: “FSG hasn’t done anything objectively bad but they do feel like a cold, antiseptic ownership group that seems to have chased away a lot of long-time employees who made the Penguins a good organization.”Also Read: “President applauded the criminal”: Dominik Hašek blasts U.S. for honoring a war criminal as Donald Trump rolls out red carpet for Vladimir PutinAt the center of it all remains Sidney Crosby. Despite trade rumors, GM Kyle Dubas has dismissed any idea of moving the captain, who remains the heartbeat of Pittsburgh hockey. Fans hope the next owners will ensure Crosby’s final years honor his legacy and keep the Penguins’ culture intact.
