Karmanos began his career in the hockey world in the mid-1970s as a co-owner of the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors, a junior hockey team. He then went on to become the majority owner of the Detroit Junior Red Wings, a team in the Ontario Hockey League. In 1982, Karmanos and his partners founded Compuware Corporation, a software company that became one of the largest in the world.
In 1994, Karmanos and his partners purchased the Hartford Whalers and moved the team to North Carolina, renaming it the Carolina Hurricanes. Karmanos served as the team's majority owner and chairman of the board until 2018. During his tenure, the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in 2006, becoming the first team from the Southeast to do so.
Karmanos was also a key figure in the development of the NHL's Southeast Division, which was formed in 1998. He was also a member of the NHL's Board of Governors from 1994 to 2018.
Karmanos has been inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame. He has also been honored with the Lester Patrick Trophy for his contributions to hockey in the United States.
Throughout his career, Karmanos has been a passionate advocate for the sport of hockey and has been instrumental in the growth of the game in the United States. He has been a leader in the development of youth hockey programs and has been a major supporter of the sport at the collegiate level.
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