“I Should Be Paid for That”: NHL GOAT Wayne Gretzky Once Shied Away From Any of the Incentive Clauses of His Multi-Million Dollar Contract

The world of hockey doesn’t need an introduction to its star player Wayne Gretzky. The NHL G.O.A.T. played for the Edmonton Oilers for more than a decade. As an emerging player, the Great One made a deal with the league officials where his meager payment amounted to a multi-million dollar payment. Though Gretzky got rich after the agreement, he didn’t step forward to make amends with the incentive clauses. Evidently, from his biography, Gretzky was a man of principle and wanted to show some great performance in exchange for money.

Initially, the Great One got $150,000 for his contributions as a player. But after a settlement based on his performance, that amount reached $20 million. In spite of having a good long conversation with Pocklington, the manager, Gretzky shied away from talking about any extra remuneration.

Wayne Gretzky never played for money

From his book The Great One: The Complete Wayne Gretzky Collection, his fans came to know more about the hockey legend. Before he went pro, the Great One started playing for the Oilers in 1979. While emerging as a rookie he showed some incredible game. Though he was the best of his time, he received fewer salary than some of the star players. Notably, Los Angeles’ Marcel Dionne was making almost $600,000 yearly. But, Gretzky decided to get into a discussion with the authority the next season. Eventually, after a settlement, he ended up in a 21-year deal. Even in the first 15 years, he could make up to $20 million.

Though the Great Gretzky wanted a raise, he didn’t consider the extra payments that he could get with that. He stated, “I believe that I sign a contract to do my best…I should be paid for that, not for scoring 20 goals or 90 goals”. Indeed, a man of principle! However, his contract contained a clause where he would get extra money if the team played well.

Watch This Story – The Great One What Is Wayne Gretzky’s Golf Handicap

There was also a mention of getting an amount if the team reached playoffs. Eventually, after that season he came to the limelight.

Gretzky’s image as a rising star

With his increasing performance came his fame. When playing for the L.A. Kings, he became popular. His pictures were everywhere – on jigsaw puzzles, T-shirts, key chains, billboards, television, and drugstore counters. Fans were literally crazy for him.

However, this fame became a burden for him and he started dodging interviews. Once he admitted saying, “I bleed, too. People think my day lasts 30 hours. Years ago, my father used to tell me, ‘Either go out and practice now or you’ll be getting up at six in the morning the rest of your life to go to work.’ Now I’m getting up at 5:30 to catch airplanes. We laugh about that a lot.”

Read More – “Put the Money Away”: $250 Million Worth Wayne Gretzky Once Had a ‘Conservative’ Financial Advice for Athletes

It was indeed the humble nature of the NHL legend that made him shy away from asking that extra. A true G.O.A.T indeed!