What’s Become of Lemieux Since Penguins Were Sold? (+)

During his days as one of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ primary owners, Mario Lemieux routinely turned up in and around the locker room after games at PPG Paints Arena.

While there’s no indication that he was actively involved in day-to-day decision-making about personnel and other hockey matters — although he was willing to share opinions and ideas when asked — his frequent presence at ice level was hard to miss.

But Lemieux’s public profile has plunged since he and Ron Burkle reached an agreement to sell controlling interest to Fenway Sports Group in November, 2021. Never mind that in a press release issued to announce the sale, Lemieux said he would “continue to be as active and engaged with the team as I always have been.”

Well, perhaps that really was the plan 14 or 15 months ago.

The reality has turned out to be decidedly different, however.