How much money does Mario Lemieux make?
Mario Lemieux has an estimated net worth of approximately $150 million as of 2024. He earned this massive fortune through his 17-year Hall of Fame NHL career and business ventures after retirement as owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Salary Breakdown During Lemieux‘s NHL Career
Lemieux earned a total of $57 million in salary during his NHL playing career from 1984 to 2006:
- 1984-85 rookie season: $600,000
- 1985-1997 seasons: $46.6 million
- 1997-98 to 2005-06 seasons after return from retirement: $11.3 million
Adjusted for inflation, his career earnings today would total around $112 million.
At his peak, Lemieux was one of the highest paid athletes in the world. Here‘s a breakdown of Lemieux‘s annual earnings season-by-season over his NHL career:
| Season | Salary | Adjusted for Inflation |
|---|---|---|
| 1984-85 | $600,000 | $1.5 million |
| 1985-86 | $400,000 | $965,000 |
| 1986-87 | $800,000 | $1.9 million |
| 1987-88 | $2 million | $4.5 million |
| 1988-89 | $2 million | $4.3 million |
| 1989-90 | $2.5 million | $5.3 million |
| 1990-91 | $3.5 million | $7 million |
| 1991-92 | $4 million | $7.8 million |
| 1992-93 | $6 million | $11.2 million |
| 1993-94 | $6 million | $11 million |
| 1994-95 | $6.5 million | $11.6 million |
| 1995-96 | $6.5 million | $11.3 million |
| 1996-97 | $6.5 million | $11 million |
| 1997-98 | $2.7 million | $4.5 million |
| 1998-99 | $2.86 million | $4.7 million |
| 1999-00 | $5.5 million | $8.9 million |
| 2000-01 | $11 million | $17.4 million |
| 2001-02 | $5.5 million | $8.5 million |
| 2002-03 | $5.5 million | $8.2 million |
| 2003-04 | $6.55 million | $9.5 million |
| 2005-06 | $1.37 million | $1.8 million |
Table shows Lemieux‘s salary and adjusted salary in 2024 dollars based on inflation – via Hockey Zone Plus
Lemieux‘s $11 million salary in 2000-01 was the highest in the NHL at the time. It marked a significant raise after returning from a 3-year retirement.
His career earnings of $112 million adjusted for inflation ranks him among the top money makers in NHL history behind only Wayne Gretzky ($298 million), Alex Ovechkin ($137 million) and Evgeni Malkin ($117 million).
Earnings as Owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins
In 1999, Lemieux purchased the Pittsburgh Penguins out of bankruptcy and served as Chairman of the Board for over 2 decades. This turned out to be an extremely lucrative investment.
When the Penguins were sold to Fenway Sports Group in late 2021, Lemieux earned over $350 million for his stake in the team. The total sale valuation was around $900 million.
As a co-owner of the Penguins franchise during his post-playing days, Lemieux likely earned millions more through revenue sharing, distributions, appreciation of the team value, and other owner perks.
Owning the Penguins cemented Lemieux‘s place among the wealthiest figures in the NHL owner circles.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
Lemieux earned additional income after retirement through various business interests:
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Co-founded Athlete Management Group, a sports agency representing NHL stars like Marc-Andre Fleury. He likely earned fees from player contract negotiations.
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Started a construction company that built homes in the Pittsburgh area.
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Opened a successful golf course named Le Club Golf de Mont Tremblant near his home in Quebec.
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Partnered in a new hotel adjacent to the Penguins‘ arena in Pittsburgh.
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Has earned licensing fees from the use of his name, likeness and memorabilia in video games, merchandise, and trading cards over the years.
He also had endorsement deals during his playing career with companies like Pepsi, Rawlings, Labatt Brewing, and athletic brands like Nike.
Lemieux‘s Legacy as an All-Time Great
Lemieux is considered one of the most naturally talented hockey players to ever take the ice. He won 2 Stanley Cup championships with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992, claiming the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP both years.
His career accolades and achievements include:
- 6 Art Ross Trophies as NHL scoring champion
- 3 Hart Trophies as league MVP
- 2 Conn Smythe Trophies as playoff MVP
- 10 All Star Game appearances
- Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997
Despite battling through injuries and illness, including Hodgkin‘s lymphoma, Lemieux still managed to lead the NHL in scoring 3 times after returning from a 3-year retirement in 2000. His 1.88 points per game career average is the highest in history, even better than Wayne Gretzky‘s clip.
In summary, Mario Lemieux leveraged his generational talent into nearly $150 million in career earnings and valuation of his business interests. His savvy investments and ownership stake in the Penguins have solidified his status as one of the richest figures the sport has ever seen. While health issues shortened his time on the ice, Lemieux made enough money during his relatively brief NHL career to last a lifetime.