News Article: Hoffmann Family Receives Unanimous NHL Approval to Acquire Pittsburgh Penguins

[Big Friggin Dummy]

FSG made buck though.

Definitely. Really smart, never made sense for them to acquire a team at the extreme twilight of their window and on the cusp of potentially a decade of empty arenas and mediocre-to-bad finishes.

 

[Sidney the Kidney]

I hope they're not like Pegula in Buffalo.

 

[Turin]

 

[ThosePuckingPenguins]

I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong, but that Dubas keeps adding to the front office (like with Ron Francis), suggests to me that maybe they’re not as cash strapped as we think. Yes I know the sale approved today but I don’t think Dubas makes that hire if the new group had a problem with it.

Either that or they suck with finances lmao

 

[Ulf5]

Yes. Honestly, the Hoffmanns remind me of the Lemieux/Burkle group.

20 years ago, they're in great position to own and run a team to a high standard.

But the cost to run a successful sports franchise, even in the less expensive NHL, has skyrocketed. Do they have the capability to do it well now?

How beneficial would bringing additional owners into the fold be in alleviating these concerns? If they added say Mario and another minority ower or two?

 

[66-30-33]

Hopefully we keep Dubas and the staff he has assembled.

 

[DesertedPenguin]

How beneficial would bringing additional owners into the fold be in alleviating these concerns? If they added say Mario and another minority ower or two?

People typically don't buy in unless they get to have some say. Few people are going to add funds without adding power/control. That makes this harder than it would seem.

 

[plaidchuck]

FSG ignored the local media for the peons that they are so they threw a tantrum about it so they’ll glaze this ownership every chance that they get.

Money is money and anything is possible, but this really looks like the equivalent of that Baptist group that funded Ed Wood movies.

 

[Shockmaster]

What's the future of Sportsnet Pittsburgh going to be following this sale since FSG runs that network?

 

[plaidchuck]

Definitely. Really smart, never made sense for them to acquire a team at the extreme twilight of their window and on the cusp of potentially a decade of empty arenas and mediocre-to-bad finishes.

Supposedly they got annoyed by how hands on Bettman still is (wouldnt even allow them to settle a lawsuit by themselves about their sale). Probably surprised of how unprofessional the league is with executives involved in personal vandettas and nepotism run rampant. You gotta be a whole level of crazy for private equity of that size to just nope out.

 

[Andy99]

What's the future of Sportsnet Pittsburgh going to be following this sale since FSG runs that network?

Good question

 

[TojoP]

What's the future of Sportsnet Pittsburgh going to be following this sale since FSG runs that network?

It was reported that at least for now FSG will maintain the network and I believe a minority stake. But not sure that will stick long-term.

 

[TojoP]

My concern is that they're a friendlier version of the Nuttings.

They have the ability to leverage themselves for the purchase and the initial spending outlay, but not long-term unless the Pens suddenly become a huge success again. Since they're cash poor, they start cutting corners to make ends meet and it becomes hard to be competitive.

So, like you, I am rooting for them. I hope this works. I am just concerned. In this era of money making such a huge impact in sports, I think it's possible that Pens fans will eventually be missing the cold but deep pockets of FSG.

Unless their plan is to run the team on a low salary so they can make a profit off a bad team through revenue sharing, I wouldn’t compare them to the Nuttings.

 

[ThosePuckingPenguins]

Unless their plan is to run the team on a low salary so they can make a profit off a bad team through revenue sharing, I wouldn’t compare them to the Nuttings.

From everything I’ve read about this new group, they apparently love hockey and that shines through their ownership of their ECHL team.

I don’t give think Bob Nutting gives a f*** about baseball.

 

[plaidchuck]

Everybody here loves hockey, doesnt mean everyone here could run a team lol

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Everybody here loves hockey, doesnt mean everyone here could run a team lol

I would hate to run a team. Way too much shit going on.

I would want to be an agent or on the team side let me be like a scout or skills coach or something.

The thought of coordinating a call up with the AHL coach who disagrees with who you’re taking and Lisa in accounting is trying to switch over to hockey ops and wants a coffee chat and Justin has his advanced stat model he wants to show me (it’s really important!!) and the coach wants a raise and blah blah blah blah… gross.

 

[Shockmaster]

It was reported that at least for now FSG will maintain the network and I believe a minority stake. But not sure that will stick long-term.

I figured it would be status-quo with SNP for the upcoming season. I just wonder how long it will stay that way beyond that, especially considering there may not be a 2027 MLB season.

 

[BusinessGoose]

Can someone ask Ryder if the nachos are getting more expensive, or do they not tell the concession workers ahead of the press release?

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

As for the stuff about cap/spending, I don't think the NHL would greenlight the deal if there were any real concerns they'd be unable to meet potential needs financially.

Uh....... https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id...club-big-shot-con-man-briefly-owned-islanders

 

[plaidchuck]

Uh....... https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id...club-big-shot-con-man-briefly-owned-islanders

Would've been better for the Islanders to have the con man owner than Milburry.

 

[Big Friggin Dummy]

Uh....... https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id...club-big-shot-con-man-briefly-owned-islanders

That was almost 30 years ago man! Water under the bridge!

Milbury and Mario getting scammed. f***ing idiots.

 

[ThosePuckingPenguins]

What a forgettable era of this team's history, the FSG era. Dry fart playing out over the course of five years.

As for the stuff about cap/spending, I don't think the NHL would greenlight the deal if there were any real concerns they'd be unable to meet potential needs financially.

It’s the NHL so nothing surprises me anymore but I actually kind of agree with this. I don’t think the league wants another Arizona on their hands. Especially for a franchise that’s as historic as the Pens.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

It’s the NHL so nothing surprises me anymore but I actually kind of agree with this. I don’t think the league wants another Arizona on their hands. Especially for a franchise that’s as historic as the Pens.

I don’t think it’s that easy for the league to vet and they/board are much more concerned that the sale was widely marketed and got a true market value (high price) that is good for the league.

That said I’m honestly not that concerned about “broke owner” tbh. Worried about meddling/competency.

 

[plaidchuck]

That was almost 30 years ago man! Water under the bridge!

Milbury and Mario getting scammed. f***ing idiots.

Stupid jocks man

 

[Victor Z]

What's the future of Sportsnet Pittsburgh going to be following this sale since FSG runs that network?

Dear Mr. Hoffman,

If you want to become instantly popular with Penguin fans, fire Phil Bourque, Josh Getzoff and everybody else associated with the broadcasts (radio and TV).

If money is an issue, you don't even need to hire replacements. Just broadcast the sounds from the ice with no voiceovers, or create an AI version of Mike Lange to do the games.

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Penguin fans everywhere