• A group of 21 owners invested $2 million to get the Penguins started in 1967. General manager Jack Riley remembered a request being made to hold the check a few extra days, just so more interest could be collected.• George Steinbrenner once had an interest in buying the Penguins. So did the famous singer Andy Williams.
From the Penguins 2013-14 Media Guide: Under the leadership of Lemieux and co-owner Ron Burkle, the Penguins have become one of the premier franchises in the NHL and in all of sports, leading the way in fan relations, youth marketing, community outreach and innovative technology while consistently putting a winning product on the ice – including seven straight playoff appearances, three conference finals appearances in the past six years and a Stanley Cup championship in 2009.
The Penguins entered the 2013-14 season having sold out 286 straight games while setting new standards for local television ratings, merchandise sales, website traffic and social media. Lemieux and Burkle were driving forces in the quest for a new multi-purpose arena for Pittsburgh and were proud to open CONSOL Energy Center in August, 2010. The facility is rated one of the top facilities in North America and hosted such national events as the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Second and Third Rounds, the 2012 NHL Draft and the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four.