(TNS) —Pittsburghers are quite familiar with one of the groups that is interested in buying the Penguins away from Fenway Sports Group, who seem open to selling the team.

Mario Lemieux is the greatest player in Penguins history, and he won three more Stanley Cup titles as a co-owner of the NHL team alongside billionaire Ron Burkle.

But who are the Hoffmanns, who have “emerged as a serious contender,” as well?

The family’s patriarch is David Hoffmann, who is worth $2 billion according to an estimate from Forbes. Born in a small Missouri farming town in 1952, Hoffmann is the founder and chairman of Hoffmann Family of Companies — a “family-owned network of enterprises” with more than 200 brands and properties in 30 countries.

Hoffmann received a scholarship offer to play football and baseball at what is now Truman State University. He ended up leaving that college due to injury concerns and a disagreement with one of his coaches. Hoffmann’s father urged him to return to school, and David earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri in 1974.

He told the Horatio Alger Association, which honored him two years ago, that with no scholarship he worked in factories and baled hay to put himself through school.

Hoffmann married his high school sweetheart, Jerri. They have three children and remain together more than 50 years later. Sons Geoff and Greg are now his co-CEOs.

At age 33, Hoffmann started his own business. He founded the executive search firm DHR International, now DHR Global, in 1989. Soon after that, he also created Osprey Capital, which now owns more than 100 brands. The Hoffmann Family of Companies boasts that it has companies in more than a dozen sectors of business.

The company’s website states that Hoffmann has made donations to Florida Gulf Coast University and the Naples Botanical Gardens. Additionally, he has supported causes such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Everglades Foundation over the years.

The company is headquartered in Chicago, but with his two sons now running the family business, David and Jerri reportedly spend much of their time in Naples, Fla.

Hoffmann previously owned a low-level pro baseball team. He said he tried to buy an NHL team or NBA team before he purchased the Florida Everblades of the ECHL in 2019. He told the Naples Valley News that before buying that team, he had taken his children and grandkids to their games and they were “jazzed up” about it.

With Hoffmann as owner, the Everblades won three straight titles from 2022-24.

Some of Hoffmann’s grandchildren play hockey in the Chicago area. His son, Geoff, founded Type 1 Timer Hockey after his oldest son was diagnosed with diabetes at age 7. The organization provides opportunities to young players with diabetes and raises funds. His wife, Megan, and he serve as president and executive director.

So, this family is no stranger to hockey, even if David was once a star quarterback.

It remains to be seen if Fenway Sports Group, which purchased the Penguins just four years ago, will sell control of the team to anyone in the coming months. It sure sounds like they are listening. There is even a reported price tag — $1.75 billion.

Lemieux and Burkle are the fan favorites here for obvious reasons. But with pretty deep pockets and a desire to buy a big-league team, the Hoffmann family has thrown its hat into the ring. We’ll see if FSG can be compelled to sell the club.