Ed Reed
Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News
The Fenway Sports Group and the Hoffmann Family confirmed Friday, Dec. 19, through a joint announcement that they have an agreement for the Hoffmanns to buy a controlling interest in the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The sale is contingent on the approval from the NHL’s Board of Governors.
The Hoffmann family is well-known in Southwest Florida as patriarch David Hoffmann and wife Jerri have lived in Naples since 2015, and their company owns a large catalog of area real estate, businesses, and the ECHL Florida Everblades, along with their home Hertz Arena.
“Hockey has always been a meaningful part of our family’s story, which makes this an incredibly special opportunity,” said Geoff Hoffmann, CEO of Hoffmann Family of Companies, in a release. “We’ve long admired the Pittsburgh Penguins – not just for their championship legacy and history, but for the culture, passion, and loyalty that define the organization. From our earliest conversations, we saw how deeply the Penguins are woven into the fabric of Pittsburgh. We are honored to join that tradition and excited to become an active part of the community.
“The franchise has thrived under the world-class leadership of Fenway Sports Group, and we are excited to build on that momentum. Our goal is to support (general manager) Kyle Dubas with everything he needs to bring the Penguins back to the pinnacle of the NHL. We look forward to working alongside the exceptional leadership team already in place, strengthening our connection with Penguins fans, and ensuring the franchise remains a source of pride for the city for generations to come.”
The expected sale price is in the range $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion, according to sources. Fenway Sports Group bought controlling interest of the Penguins in 2021 for $900 million from Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle. FSG owns several sports properties, including the Boston Red Sox, which holds spring training in Fort Myers at JetBlue Park, and Fenway Park in Boston.
According to the sale announcement, the Penguins’ leadership structure will remain unchanged, with the full executive team continuing in their current roles to ensure stability and consistency. Geoff Hoffmann will serve as team Governor, alongside Alternate Governors Greg and David Hoffmann, and will play an active role in guiding the club’s business operations.
“During a formal process to explore investor interest in the Pittsburgh Penguins, we were approached by the Hoffmann family with an offer that warranted serious consideration,” said Sam Kennedy, CEO of Fenway Sports Group, in the release. “From our earliest conversations, their love of the sport and their commitment to doing things the right way made it clear they would be thoughtful stewards of the franchise, which is why we chose to seriously consider their interest. We plan to work closely with them to ensure a smooth transition and to carry forward the momentum that’s been built. It has been an honor to be part of the Penguins’ story, working alongside a world-class leadership team, passionate fans, and a dedicated community. We are proud of the strong foundation we’ve built, and with Kyle Dubas continuing to lead hockey operations, the Penguins are well positioned to carry out the plan in place to reclaim their place as perennial Stanley Cup contenders.”
Who is David Hoffmann?
Hoffmann, 73, is the founder and chairman of the Hoffmann Family of Companies. He was ranked 1,763 on the 2025 Forbes list of richest people with a net worth of $2 billion. He first made the list in 2022.
Headquartered in Naples, the Hoffmann Family of Companies consists of more than 120 brands, with 17,000 employees across 400 locations in 30 countries. The business is run by Hoffmann’s sons, Geoff and Greg, who he named co-chief executives.
Hoffmann and his wife Jerri moved to Naples in 2015. The Missouri natives are well-known philanthropists, contributing their time and money to charitable efforts in Southwest Florida, and elsewhere. Locally, they are involved in such organizations as the Boys & Girls Club of Collier County, the Everglades Foundation, and the Naples Players community theater.
What are Hoffmann’s hockey ties?
Watch: Everblades, Hertz Arena’s Craig Brush announces sale
Everblades, Hertz Arena’s Craig Brush announces the sale of the team and the arena to Naples businessman David Hoffmann.
Greg Hardwig, greg.hardwig@naplesnews.com; 239-263-4767
Hoffmann bought the ECHL Florida Everblades and their home Hertz Arena in August 2019. The team and the arena were previously owned by Peter Karmanos, founder of Compuware Corporation and prior majority owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes.
Since Hoffmann’s purchase, the Everblades became one of the ECHL’s best franchises, winning three straight Kelly Cups from 2022-2024. He’s invested millions in arena upgrades, including a videoboard that cost close to $2 million as well as upgraded seats and other amenities for fans.
The Hoffmann’s also own a few golf clubs and a host of small businesses in Naples as well as large chuncks of real estate. On Oct. 3, they purchased Pure Florida, a Naples-based maritime company that offers water-based attractions.