Gretzky's annual salary

Before you read this, take a guess at what he makes to coach.


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The Phoenix Coyotes are among the poorest teams in the NHL, but head coach Wayne Gretzky makes far more than any other coach in the league.

Gretzky earns between $7-million and $8-million (all currency U.S.) per year on a five-year contract, or more than seven times the average annual salary for an NHL head coach, according to several sources. The contract is so generous that even though Gretzky was said by one source to have agreed to defer up to half his salary this season, he would still be the best-paid bench boss in the league.

The huge compensation came based on the notion that Gretzky would help sell tickets at the Jobing.com Arena in suburban Glendale. But now, in Gretzky's fourth season behind the bench, that does not appear to be the case.

"He doesn't translate to one ticket sold," a source said. "They pimped him so much, but he didn't represent $1."

Jeff Holbrook, the Coyotes' chief communications officer, said yesterday the terms of Gretzky's contract have not changed since it was signed three years ago.

"He has a unique relationship with [Coyotes' majority owner Jerry] Moyes," Holbrook said. "He does some personal appearances for Mr. Moyes."

The Coyotes are averaging a crowd of 14,892 through 28 home games this season, which is fourth worst in the 30-team NHL. In the Gretzky era, the team has averaged 15,070 per game, compared to 15,469 the year before the 2004-05 lockout.

According to information circulated by the league, the average salary for an NHL head coach is just shy of $1-million per season. The range runs from $500,000 to $1.5-million. The document does not list coaches by name. When he was head coach and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Pat Quinn earned $2.5-million.

However, a pay cut may be in Gretzky's future if the NHL has to financially support the Coyotes beyond this season. One team owner said that if the league asks him to assist the Coyotes, he would require three assurances:

One, that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman lays out a long-range plan demonstrating how the Coyotes can be viable.

Two, that the City of Glendale provides some lease relief at the Jobing.com Arena. And three, that Gretzky's salary falls in line with other coaches.

Gretzky, 48, also serves as Phoenix's head of hockey operations, holding the titles of managing partner and alternate governor. His contract includes a minority ownership stake in the Coyotes that does not require him to help cover any of their annual losses. That share in the team is said to be between 10 per cent and 18 per cent.

The Coyotes are expected to lose as much as $45-million this season. The NHL is helping the team cover its financial obligations through advances on revenues shared by all teams, including broadcast, merchandise and revenue-sharing monies. If the NHL wants to raise the league's financial commitment beyond that level, it needs the consent of a majority of its 30 governors.

Moyes has asked Bettman to find a buyer for the Coyotes. It is believed Moyes is willing to walk away from the team, so long as a new investor assumes an $80-million debt to a New York hedge fund and agrees to cover all future losses.

While Bettman has made assurances the team "will be fine," there is no buyer in sight.

The league has approached Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and baseball's Chicago White Sox, as well as the owners of basketball's Phoenix Suns and baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. All three declined.

The Coyotes finished last in the NHL in ticket revenue last season, with a total of $18.4-million. An ESPN.com report said the club also forfeited 25 per cent of the $15-million it was due in revenue-sharing monies last year.

Former Coyotes chief executive officer and governor Jeff Shumway signed Gretzky to his current contract on May 31, 2006. Shumway and the Coyotes parted ways last month.

Gretzky has been a minority owner of the Coyotes since February of 2001, when he signed a contract with former owner Steve Ellman. He did not have to buy any equity in the team but was given a four-year contract for $13-million. In exchange, Ellman was allowed to use Gretzky's name to attract investors in the team.

The only significant investor to turn up was Moyes. But his trucking company, Swift Transportation, has also fallen on hard times financially, which made it difficult for him to continue covering losses. It is estimated the Coyotes have cost Moyes as much as $250-million.

 

2 games below .500 and last in the division. any other coach would've been fired 2 months ago. Ask peter laviolette

 

The Phoenix situation is so weird on every level that Gretzky's salary doesn't shock me.

I just don't see how they can survive long term.

 

Steve Kerr has ruined this franchise.

 

Probably should sell it to the guy that tried to buy the Predators and let him move it to Hamilton, Ontario. At least they would fill the seats.

 

Toronto

 

Maybe they will move back to Winnipeg or KC or Hartford . . . . At what point does Bettman give the Coyotes the green light to move somewhere else if they can't find a local buyer?