Wayne Gretzky is one of the most iconic athletes in history. Dubbed “The Great One,” he is the NHL’s all-time leading scorer and holds dozens of other league records. He played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for four different teams from 1979 to 1999. He is one of the most recognizable faces in sports, and his impact was huge, with many of the moves he introduced still being used by players today.
Thus, it is no surprise that Wayne Gretzky net worth is quite substantial. As of 2023, it has been estimated at $250 million, making him one of the wealthiest athletes of all time. This wealth stems from several different sources, and this post will explore each in detail.
Early Life
On January 26, 1961, Wayne Gretzky was born in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, the younger of all five siblings. Wayne’s father, Walter Gretzky, was a former hockey player and coach who worked for the local telephone company. When Wayne was five years old, his father built a backyard rink where Wayne and his friends would often skate. Throughout his childhood, Gretzky played hockey for fun with his friends and continued to improve his skills.
When Gretzky was ten years old, he scored 378 goals in an outdoor game with his friends. When he turned thirteen, he began asking his parents to allow him to play organized hockey with children older than him.
After initially resisting his request, they finally relented and allowed him to play on a team. When the 1977 Ontario Major Junior Hockey League draft took place, he was picked third. While Gretzky represented his native nation and finished first in the competition in points, his career as an NHL player officially began.
Personal Life
Wayne is married to Janet Jones, an actress who has appeared in several films and TV shows. Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones tied the knot around July 1988. On the TV program Dance Fever, Wayne and Janet met for the first time, and he proposed to her on a trip to Italy around 1989.
They have five children together and currently live in Los Angeles, California.
Career
As mentioned, Wayne started playing hockey when he was only five. The canadian ice hockey player accepted a $ 1.75 million 7-year private employment deal with the Indianapolis Racers in the WHA when he was 17, just before entering the NHL. As a result of the NHL’s policy on signing players below 20 yrs old, he was first compelled to sign with the WHA.
He didn’t even play for the Racers for long prior to moving to the Edmonton Oiler. He played a key role in helping his team win 4 Stanley Cups when they entered the NHL in 1979, only when WHA dissolved.
Professional Hockey Career
After his time in the WHA, Wayne entered the NHL, became one of the most dominant players in history, and received the Hart Memorial Award. During his 20-year career in the NHL, he set nearly 60 records, including the most goals, assists, and points in a single season. He also led his team to four Stanley Cup championships.
Gretzky began his career with the Edmonton Oilers, quickly establishing himself as a star player. With exceptional performances, accumulating more than 200 points in a single season and other milestones, he was the first player in NHL history to cross the 200-point barrier.
Afterward, he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, where he helped to popularize the sport in the United States. Gretzky retired from the NHL in 1999, but he remains active in the hockey community through his work as a coach and commentator. He remained with the New York Rangers up until he retired around 1999. His distinct playing style has garnered an NHL record of 61.
Net Worth and Income
Wayne Gretzky earned a cumulative of $46 million during the course of his NHL career. Throughout his pro career, he earned another $50 million from endorsements. His net worth has been estimated to be $200 million, which makes him one of the most successful professional athletes in history.
Gretzky’s total earnings came to almost $150 million, considering the inflation. He made prudent financial decisions with his money, creating an empire that now includes property investments, a vineyard, ownership of sports teams, and more.
Post-Retirement
Though he officially retired in 1999, Wayne Gretzky has remained a highly popular and influential figure in hockey. Since his retirement, he has been a head coach, general manager, and part-owner of various hockey teams. He later acquired a 10% ownership in the NHL franchise Phoenix Coyotes in May 2000 in collaboration with major shareholder Steven Ellman.
He has also been an occasional commentator on hockey games and a regular spokesman for several different brands. In addition, Gretzky has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
His impact on the game of hockey is undeniable, and his post-retirement engagements have helped to keep his legacy alive.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
Wayne Gretzky is also a shrewd businessman, with several high-profile endorsements and business ventures to his credit. Gretzky has endorsement deals with several major brands, including Nike, Upper Deck, and Hershey. He also has his own hockey equipment line, the Wayne Gretzky Signature Series. In addition, Gretzky is a minority owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs and a partner in the NHL-backed entertainment company Blueprint Sports.
In addition, Gretzky had a successful career playing pro hockey and received several expensive endorsement agreements. He ranked among North America’s top 5 most paid athlete endorsers by 1995 due to brand endorsements with well-known international companies, including Upper Deck Company, Sharp Corporation, Domino’s Pizza, and Coca-Cola.
Real Estate
Wayne Gretzky is well known for his impressive hockey career and his real estate investments. In the late 1980s, Gretzky purchased a property in Beverly Hills, which he sold a few years later for a significant profit.
In 2007, he and his wife built a customized mansion in Thousand Oaks, California. The Gretzkys sold the house in 2014 for an impressive $18.5 million. However, it is important to note that the real estate market collapsed the following year. Despite this, Wayne Gretzky’s real estate ventures prove that he is a talented hockey player and a smart investor.
Charity Work
The Wayne Gretzky Foundation is a charity founded in 2002 by former hockey player Wayne Gretzky. The foundation’s mission is to support several important causes for the Gretzky family, including helping underprivileged children and promoting youth hockey programs. The organization also assists with educational initiatives and disaster relief efforts.
Through his charity work, Wayne Gretzky has been able to give back to the communities that helped him achieve so much.
Success Lessons
So, what can we learn from The Great One about achieving success in life?
1. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take
In order to score goals, you have to shoot the puck. And to be successful in life, you have to take risks. So put yourself out there and take a shot and surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.
2. It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish
Gretzky didn’t become the NHL’s leading scorer overnight-it took years of hard work and dedication. And even when he was at the top of his game, he still worked the hours to ensure he stayed there. The same is true for any goal you want to achieve in life. It might take longer than you’d like, but if you keep working at it, you’ll eventually reach your destination.
3. Surround yourself with good people
Gretzky had some great teammates during his career, including Mark Messier and Glenn Anderson. But he also had some less-than-stellar ones (we’re looking at you, Marty McSorley). The lesson is that the people you surround yourself with can make or break your success. Choose wisely and surround yourself with positive, like-minded people who will support your goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wayne Gretzky’s nationality?
Wayne Gretzky is a Canadian citizen. He was born and raised in Ontario, Canada, and still lives there today. In addition to his Canadian citizenship, Gretzky has also been given honorary US citizenship for his contributions to hockey.
What is the Gretzky rule?
In 1999, the NHL implemented a rule change that was informally dubbed the “Gretzky Rule.” Prior to the rule change, a team could not score on a penalty shot if they were already ahead by two goals.
The rule was put in place to prevent teams from running up the score, and it was informally named after Wayne Gretzky, who had scored on a penalty shot while his team was ahead by two goals just before the rule change.
The rule was changed to allow teams to score on a penalty shot regardless of the score, and it remains in place today. Thanks to the Gretzky Rule, players like Gretzky can continue to wow fans with their scoring prowess, even when their team is comfortably ahead.
How many children does Gretzky have?
He has 3 sons and 2 daughters. His eldest son, Ty, was born in 2000, and his second son, Trevor, was born in 2003. The third son, Tristan, was born in 2005. His eldest daughter, Emma, was born in 2008. And his youngest child, Sierra, was born in 2010. Gretzky’s wife, Janet Jones, is also a professional hockey player.
Are there any controversies surrounding Gretzky?
Yes, some controversies have arisen during his long and successful career. In 2000, Gretzky was accused of betting on NHL games, though no evidence was ever found to support the claims.
In 2005, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, but some people were critical of his induction, arguing that he had not done enough to promote the hockey game. Most recently, in 2019, Gretzky was suspended from Canadian minor hockey for life after it was revealed that he had failed to properly report a possible abuse incident involving one of his assistant coaches.
The Number of Stanley cups did Gretzky win?
Gretzky’s most impressive achievement is his record of four Stanley Cup wins. Gretzky led the Oilers to victory in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. In doing so, he cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in history.
Final Words
At the height of his career, Wayne Gretzky was widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in history. He truly embodied the spirit of a champion, with countless other achievements. His net worth may have fluctuated over the years, but his contributions to the sport of hockey will always be remembered.
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