In a major sports business move with roots in Southwest Florida, the Hoffmann Family of Companies — a global private-equity group with ties to Naples — has confirmed it has reached an agreement to acquire the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. The deal, first reported earlier by ESPN, represents a significant expansion into major-league sports for the family’s diversified holdings.

🏙️ The Deal at a Glance

  • The Hoffmann Family of Cos. has agreed to purchase a controlling stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

  • FSG — known for owning major sports properties including the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC — will remain a minority shareholder for a period during the transition.

  • The team’s leadership and hockey operations — including President & General Manager Kyle Dubas — are expected to remain in place.

  • Final approval is still required from the NHL’s Board of Governors and other customary regulatory bodies before the sale is completed.

While the Hoffmann family did not officially disclose the purchase price in their release, reports indicate the transaction could fall in the range of $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion — one of the largest valuations for an NHL franchise in recent memory.

🌎 What This Means for Southwest Florida

The Hoffmann Family of Companies is headquartered in Chicago but has a major presence in Naples and Southwest Florida, with interests spanning agriculture, aviation, hospitality, media, real estate, and sports.

The Penguins purchase marks a significant step into major professional sports for a Naples-aligned business group already familiar with hockey — the family also owns the Florida Everblades of the ECHL, based in Estero.

For Naples and the broader business community, the deal:

  • Reinforces the reach of local executives into global sports and entertainment markets

  • Shines a spotlight on Southwest Florida as a base for major investment capital

  • Connects Naples to a storied NHL franchise with decades of championship history

🏒 A New Chapter for the Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins are one of the NHL’s most iconic franchises, with five Stanley Cup titles and a passionate fan base.

  • The existing leadership and hockey operations team is expected to remain in place as the ownership transition proceeds.

  • The Penguins will continue competing in the 2025–26 NHL season as the sale moves through league approval processes.

Hockey fans, business observers and local leaders will be watching closely as the NHL Board of Governors reviews and votes on the deal early in 2026.