Mario Lemieux and his co-owner Ron Burkle sold the majority controlling interest in the Pittsburgh Penguins to Fenway Sports Group for a staggering valuation of approximately 900 million dollars. When Lemieux originally transitioned from legendary player to owner, he did so by converting millions in deferred salary owed to him by the bankrupt franchise into equity. His brilliant stewardship successfully stabilized the market, preserved hockey in Pittsburgh, and yielded a monumental financial return upon selling his controlling stake.