When Wayne Gretzky almost signed a massive deal with the Toronto Blue Jays

Wayne Gretzky, popularly known as "The Great One," is one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time. However, not many people know that the Canadian legend almost pursued a career in baseball.

In a podcast with "The Steam Room," Gretzky shared a funny anecdote from his childhood where he revealed how he almost signed a massive deal with the Toronto Blue Jays but was stopped by his father.

Gretzky's love for baseball began as a child, and he would eagerly wait for the hockey season to end so that he could start playing baseball. He was a big fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Montreal Expos, who were just starting to gain traction in Canada. In the podcast interview, Gretzky revealed that he was about to sign a $150,000 signing bond with the Blue Jays when he was just 16 years old.

However, Gretzky's father Walter, who played a significant role in shaping his son's hockey career, had different plans. Walter knew that Wayne had the potential to become a great ice hockey player, and he didn't want him to give up on his dream. So, when Wayne was about to sign the contract, Walter grabbed the pen and said, "You're coming back to tenth grade," thus ending his son's baseball career.

If Wayne Gretzky had signed the contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that day, it would have been a huge loss for the NHL and a great gain for the MLB. Gretzky's incredible talent and work ethic have made him an icon in the world of ice hockey, and he has inspired countless young players to take up the sport. However, his love for baseball never faded away as expressed by him on numerous occasions.

Wayne Gretzky's net worth and contract details

Wayne Gretzky's net worth is estimated to be around $250 million USD, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He earned the majority of his wealth through his successful career as a professional ice hockey player, as well as through various business ventures and endorsements.

In terms of contracts, Wayne Gretzky signed several lucrative deals during his career. His most famous contract was signed in 1978 with the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL, which was for 21 years and $1.75 million USD. This contract was later sold to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988 for $15 million USD, which at the time was the largest amount ever paid for a player in any sport.

Wayne Gretzky also signed a number of endorsement deals throughout his career, including with brands such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and McDonald's. These deals helped to further boost his net worth and establish him as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.