What is Wayne Gretzky Net Worth, and How is He the Richest Player?

Wayne Douglas Gretzky CC was a head coach and former professional ice hockey player in Canada. From 1979 to 1999, he spent 20 seasons playing for four different clubs in the National Hockey League (NHL), retiring at the age of 38.

According to many sportswriters, players, The Hockey News, and the NHL, he is the best ice hockey player ever. These opinions are based on deep conversations with hockey writers, former players, general managers, and coaches.

Gretzky scored more than 100 points in 15 professional seasons - 13 of them in a row. He achieved 61 NHL records when he retired in 1999, including 40 records during the regular season, 15 records during the playoffs, and 6 All-Star records.

Wayne Gretzky Net Worth 2024

Wayne Gretzky's net worth is estimated to be at $250 Million. What was Gretzky's salary? During his NHL career, Wayne Gretzky made $46 million in NHL salaries and received an additional $50 million in sponsorship revenue.

After accounting for prices, his career earnings came to about $150 million. With extremely careful financial decisions, he created an empire that now includes ownership of a sports team, a vineyard, real estate holdings, and more.

Personal Life

Wayne Gretzky has appeared on television multiple times, especially as a celebrity judge for Dance Fever. In 1981, he appeared together with Victor Newman in a dramatic role in The Young and the Restless.

Gretzky first got to know actress Janet Jones while she was a judge on Dance Fever. Gretzky put out the proposal in January 1988, and on July 16, 1988, they married in an elegant ceremony that the Canadian media nicknamed "The Royal Wedding."

The couple have five children together. Wayne Gretzky daughters are Emma and Paulina and his sons are Ty, Trevor, and Triston. Wayne Gretzky wife net worth is about $100 million.

Early Years

Wayne Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario, on January 26, 1961. He had three brothers: Keith, Glen, and Brent; his sister, Kim, was born in 1963. Wayne's grandparents, Tony and Mary, had a farm, and the family would frequently come and watch Hockey Night in Canada.

The other players on the team Gretzky played on when he was six years old were ten-year-olds. Dick Martin, his first coach, said that he was a better puck handler than the 10-year-olds. Throughout his NHL career, Gretzky kept up this practice.

After just one season with the Brantford Nadrofsky Steelers, Gretzky had an incredible 378 goals and 139 assists by the time he was ten years old. His play attracted interest from the media outside of Brantford, as seen by a 1971 October Toronto Telegram profile by John Iaboni.

NHL Career

Despite a few people believing that Gretzky would struggle in what was thought to be the bigger, rougher, and more talented league, his success in the WHA translated into the NHL.

During his first campaign, Gretzky shared the scoring lead with Marcel Dionne and won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's Most Excellent Player. Dionne won the Art Ross Trophy because he scored more goals than Gretzky, even though Dionne played 80 games compared to 79 for Gretzky.

With 164 points in his second season, Gretzky broke Phil Esposito's record for points and Bobby Orr's record for assists in a season. He received his second Hart Trophy in a row.

Gretzky broke a record that had lasted for 35 years in the 1981–82 NHL season: 50 goals in 50 games. The mark had been initially set by Maurice "Rocket" Richard in the 1944–45 NHL season and then tied by Mike Bossy in the 1980–81 NHL season. In just 39 games, Gretzky achieved the milestone.

On June 25, 1984, Gretzky was appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in recognition of his outstanding service to hockey. Because the Order ceremonies are always conducted during hockey season, it took him thirteen years, seven months, and two Governors-General to accept the award.

Wayne Gretzky Records as Head Coach

Books

Gretzky is the author of many books, including 99: My Life in Pictures (1999), co-written with John Davidson and Dan Diamond, and Gretzky: An Autobiography (1990), co-written with Rick Reilly. His most recent book, 99: Stories of the Game (2016), co-written with Kirstie McLellan Day, closely examines hockey's past. In 2016, it became the best-selling book in Canada.

Business Ventures and Endorsements

Apart from his career as a professional athlete, Gretzky has made major investments in sports franchise ownership. In 1985, he paid $175,000 CAD for the Hull Olympiques team of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, which he later sold for $550,000 CAD in 1992.

Gretzky and John Candy were minority owners of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League when Bruce McNall bought them in 1991; they sold the team in 1994.

During his professional hockey career, Gretzky was awarded numerous lucrative endorsement deals. Due to his endorsement contracts with large international brands such as Coca-Cola, Domino's Pizza, and Sharp Corporation, he was among the top five best-paid athletes in North America by 1995. Last, Gretzky joined forces with Andrew Peller Ltd.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Who is the richest hockey player ever?

Wayne Gretzky is the richest hockey player ever. Having set more than 60 NHL records, Gretzky retired in 1999. Due to his extraordinary talent, he is the wealthiest player, owning stakes in sports teams, real estate, and a vineyard.

Q. Who is the richest NHL player right now?

Nathan MacKinnon, a center for the Colorado Avalanche, is ranked #1 with $17.5 million. From the eight-year, $100.8 million contract deal he signed last fall, the 28-year-old MacKinnon will receive $16.5 million on the ice.

Q. Is Gretzky still an owner?

Following his retirement, Gretzky got a stake in the Phoenix Coyotes, an NHL team. In May 2000, he gained a 10% share. From October 2005 to September 2009, he led the squad as coach.