Wayne Gretzky net worth is estimated at $250 million. The Canadian-born retired professional hockey player has built his fortune through NHL salaries, endorsements, business ventures, investments, real estate and ownership interests.
Widely known as “The Great One,” Gretzky is regarded as the greatest hockey player in history. During a 20-season professional career that ran from 1979 to 1999, he shattered scoring records and won numerous individual and team awards.
Gretzky still holds the NHL’s all-time records for assists with 1,963 and points with 2,857. He also held the league’s career goals record for decades before Alexander Ovechkin surpassed his mark of 894 goals in April 2025.
Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers and captured the Hart Trophy as NHL Most Valuable Player nine times, including eight consecutive seasons.
His impact extended beyond the ice. His 1988 trade from Edmonton to the Los Angeles Kings helped increase hockey’s popularity in the United States and contributed to the NHL’s expansion into non-traditional hockey markets.
- Wayne Gretzky Net Worth: $250 Million
- Date of Birth: January 26, 1961
- Place of Birth: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Wayne Gretzky’s Career Earnings
During his 20-season NHL career, Gretzky earned an estimated $46 million in salary.
He reportedly generated another $50 million or more from endorsements, appearances and licensing agreements.
Those figures were substantial for his era, although they appear modest compared with the contracts awarded to today’s top NHL players.
Gretzky entered professional hockey at a time when player salaries were considerably lower than they are today.
His first professional contract came in 1978 when he signed a 10-year personal services agreement with Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania reportedly worth $1.75 million.
The contract was soon transferred to the Edmonton Oilers.
After the Oilers joined the NHL in 1979, Gretzky signed an eight-year agreement reportedly worth about $3 million per year.
When he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, he signed a contract reportedly worth $15 million over eight years, while the blockbuster trade also included a $2.5 million cash payment to Oilers owner Peter Pocklington.
Gretzky remained among the NHL’s highest-paid players during his years in Los Angeles, St. Louis and New York.
Early Life
Wayne Douglas Gretzky was born on January 26, 1961, in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.
He was the eldest of five children born to Walter and Phyllis Gretzky. His siblings included brothers Keith, Glen and Brent and sister Kim.
His father played a major role in his development.
Walter, who worked as a cable repairman and loved hockey, built a backyard rink at the family’s home. The rink became known as “Wally Coliseum.”
Wayne spent countless hours skating and practicing there.
His natural talent quickly became apparent.
By the age of six, he was playing organized hockey against children several years older than him. He routinely dominated his opponents, sometimes attracting criticism from opposing parents.
His family eventually moved him to Toronto so he could continue developing his talent in a more competitive environment.
At 14, Gretzky was named Rookie of the Year while playing for the Toronto Nationals in the Metro Junior B Hockey League.
In 1977, he was selected third overall by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League draft.
It was during his time with the Greyhounds that Gretzky began wearing the iconic No. 99.
His preferred No. 9 was already taken, so he eventually settled on 99.
Wayne Gretzky’s Professional Hockey Career
Gretzky turned professional in 1978 at just 17 years old.
Because NHL rules at the time prevented teams from signing players under 20, he joined the World Hockey Association.
He signed a personal services contract with Indianapolis Racers owner Nelson Skalbania.
Gretzky played only eight games for the Racers before Skalbania sold his contract to the Edmonton Oilers.
The move proved to be a turning point.
When the WHA folded in 1979, the Oilers entered the NHL, bringing Gretzky with them.
He immediately demonstrated that he could dominate at the highest level of professional hockey.
In his first full NHL season, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
He would go on to win the award nine times.
Edmonton Oilers Dynasty
Gretzky transformed the Edmonton Oilers into one of the most dominant teams in NHL history.
He became the first player in NHL history to score more than 200 points in a season, eventually accomplishing the feat four times.
With the Oilers, he won four Stanley Cups in 1984, 1985, 1987 and 1988.
His individual achievements were equally extraordinary.
Gretzky won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer 10 times during his career. He also set numerous scoring records that stood for decades.
His combination of speed, vision, passing ability and hockey intelligence made him nearly impossible to defend.
The Blockbuster Los Angeles Kings Trade
In August 1988, Gretzky was traded from Edmonton to the Los Angeles Kings.
The deal shocked the hockey world.
At the time, hockey was not nearly as popular in Southern California as it was in traditional Canadian and northern U.S. markets.
Gretzky changed that.
His arrival transformed the Kings into a major attraction and helped introduce hockey to a much wider American audience.
His presence also contributed to the NHL’s expansion into southern U.S. markets.
Gretzky remained with the Kings until 1996 and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Final in 1993.
He later played briefly for the St. Louis Blues before signing with the New York Rangers.
New York Rangers and Retirement
Gretzky signed a two-year contract reportedly worth $8 million with the New York Rangers.
He spent the final years of his playing career in New York.
Gretzky retired in 1999 after 20 seasons of professional hockey.
At the time of his retirement, he held or shared 61 NHL records.
His career totals included 894 goals, 1,963 assists and 2,857 points.
The Hockey Hall of Fame waived its usual three-year waiting period and inducted him in 1999.
The NHL also retired his No. 99 jersey league-wide.
It remains the only number retired across the entire NHL.
Wayne Gretzky’s Endorsements
Endorsements have been an important part of Wayne Gretzky’s net worth.
During his playing career, he became one of the most marketable athletes in North America.
His clean-cut image, sportsmanship and extraordinary success made him attractive to major corporations.
Gretzky signed endorsement deals with brands including Coca-Cola, Nike, Domino’s Pizza, Sharp Electronics and Upper Deck.
His commercial appeal continued after retirement.
Companies have continued to use his name, image and hockey legacy to market products and experiences.
For Gretzky, endorsements became an important source of income beyond his NHL salary.
Wayne Gretzky’s Business Ventures
Gretzky has also built a diverse business portfolio.
In 1985, he purchased the Hull Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for approximately C$175,000.
Under his ownership, the team won the 1986 Memorial Cup.
Gretzky later sold the team in 1992 for approximately C$550,000.
He also became a part-owner of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1991 alongside Bruce McNall and actor John Candy.
The team won the Grey Cup that year.
Gretzky and his partners later sold the franchise.
He also invested in sports-related businesses and memorabilia.
Among his more unusual investments was a rare Honus Wagner T206 baseball card, which he purchased with McNall in 1991 for about $451,000.
Wayne Gretzky’s Winery and Restaurants
Gretzky has used his name to build businesses outside professional sports.
In 2017, he partnered with Andrew Peller Ltd. to launch Wayne Gretzky Estates, a winery and distillery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
The property includes a tasting room, whiskey bar and visitor centre.
His brand has also been used for restaurants.
No. 99 Gretzky’s Wine & Whiskey opened at Edmonton International Airport, while Studio 99 was established inside Rogers Place in Edmonton.
These businesses have allowed Gretzky to capitalize on the global recognition of his name long after his retirement from hockey.
Wayne Gretzky’s Hockey Executive Career
Retirement did not end Gretzky’s involvement in hockey.
In 2002, he served as executive director of Canada’s men’s national hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Canada won the gold medal, its first Olympic men’s hockey gold in 50 years.
Gretzky also became part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes in 2000, acquiring a 10% stake alongside real estate developer Steven Ellman.
In 2005, he became head coach of the Coyotes, a position he held until 2009.
Although his coaching tenure produced mixed results, it demonstrated his continued commitment to the sport.
In 2016, Gretzky returned to the Edmonton Oilers organization in an executive role as vice-chairman and partner of Oilers Entertainment Group.
He has continued to serve as an ambassador for hockey and the NHL.
Personal Life
Gretzky met actress Janet Jones while serving as a judge on the television program Dance Fever.
The two began dating in 1987.
Gretzky proposed in January 1988, and they married in July of the same year.
Their wedding reportedly cost more than $1 million and was dubbed “The Royal Wedding” by the Canadian press.
The couple have five children, including three sons and two daughters.
Their daughter Paulina Gretzky is a model and singer. She has been in a long-term relationship with professional golfer Dustin Johnson, and the couple married in 2022.
Their son Trevor also pursued a career in baseball.
Wayne Gretzky’s Real Estate
Real estate has been another major component of Gretzky’s wealth.
After joining the Los Angeles Kings in the late 1980s, he purchased a property in the exclusive Beverly Park community in Beverly Hills.
He eventually sold the property to billionaire Eric Smidt.
Smidt later purchased the neighboring vacant lot and combined the properties before selling the resulting estate for approximately $40 million in 2014.
Gretzky and Janet later built an expansive mansion in Thousand Oaks, California.
The approximately 10,815-square-foot home sits on 6.5 acres inside the exclusive Sherwood Country Club community.
The property includes two guest houses, a home theatre, swimming pool, gym, tennis court and a large custom-designed main residence.
The couple sold the home in 2014 for approximately $18.5 million.
After the subsequent owner encountered financial problems and lost the property through foreclosure, Gretzky and Janet bought the home back in 2018 for approximately $13.5 million.
In 2020, they listed it again for approximately $22.9 million.
The Gretzkys have also owned and invested in other properties over the years.
In 2022, they purchased a home in North Palm Beach, Florida, from future son-in-law Dustin Johnson for approximately $4.5 million.
Author: Andrew Walyaula
Andrew Walyaula is a seasoned multimedia journalist. Email: [email protected]
