Why Alex Ovechkin's Salary is Relatively Low (2024)

Why Alex Ovechkin's Salary is Relatively Low (1)

By Fan Arch March 01, 2024 09:20

Alex Ovechkin, the legendary Russian hockey player, has been a dominant force in the NHL for many years. Despite his exceptional performance and impact on the league, his salary is considered relatively low compared to some of his peers. This article will delve into the various factors that contribute to the perceived low salary of Alex Ovechkin.

Historical Context of Ovechkin's Contract

Ovechkin's current salary and the perception of it being low are rooted in the historical context of his contract. In 2008, Ovechkin signed a 13-year, $124 million contract, which was considered the largest ever at that time. This long-term contract, signed when salaries were lower, has contributed to the relatively lower average annual value (AAV) of his salary. Additionally, Ovechkin's mother, Tatyana, played a significant role in negotiating this record-breaking contract, highlighting the unique circ*mstances surrounding his initial deal.

Escrow and Tax Withholdings

Another crucial factor affecting Ovechkin's take-home pay is the NHL's escrow system and taxation. Players in the NHL are subject to a number of withholdings, including escrow and taxes, which significantly impact their net income. Ovechkin, along with other NHL players, faces tax rates that vary based on their salaries, place of residence, and specific tax laws in their respective states or countries. This has an evident impact on the actual amount of money players take home from their published salaries.

Changing Salary Landscape in the NHL

The dynamic nature of NHL salaries and the league's ever-evolving salary cap are also pivotal in understanding Ovechkin's relatively low salary. Over the years, NHL players' salaries have continued to escalate, with top players commanding higher earnings. Ovechkin's contract, signed over a decade ago, has become relatively undervalued compared to newer contracts, especially considering his consistent performance as one of the top players in the league.

Unique Circ*mstances Surrounding Ovechkin's Contract

Ovechkin's unique circ*mstances, including his impact on the popularity of hockey in Washington, D.C., and his long-term contribution to the sport, have also been cited as reasons for his perceived underpayment. His influence on growing the sport in the region and the generational impact he has had on fans and future players have been highlighted as factors that are difficult to quantify but undoubtedly contribute to his value beyond the ice.

Alex Ovechkin's relatively low salary is influenced by a combination of factors. His historical contract, the escrow and tax withholdings, the changing landscape of NHL salaries, and the unique circ*mstances surrounding his impact on the sport and its fan base all contribute to the perception of his salary being comparatively low. Despite this, Ovechkin's contributions to the sport and his enduring legacy as a hockey icon extend far beyond the financial aspects, solidifying his status as one of the most influential players in NHL history.

By analyzing these factors, it becomes evident that Ovechkin's perceived low salary is a multifaceted issue shaped by both historical and contemporary dynamics within the NHL and the broader context of professional sports.

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Why Alex Ovechkin's Salary is Relatively Low (52)

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Why Alex Ovechkin's Salary is Relatively Low (2024)

FAQs

Why Alex Ovechkin's Salary is Relatively Low? ›

Escrow and Tax Withholdings. Another crucial factor affecting Ovechkin's take-home pay is the NHL's escrow system and taxation. Players in the NHL are subject to a number of withholdings, including escrow and taxes, which significantly impact their net income.

What is the lowest salary in the NHL? ›

The minimum salary for players in the NHL amounted to 750 thousand U.S. dollars in the 2023/24 season. The minimum salary for the league is agreed upon in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which is a basic contract between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association.

What is Alexander Ovechkin's salary? ›

Alex Ovechkin's salary is $12,500,000 and his cap hit is $9,500,000 for the 2023-24 season. His salary is comprised of $11,500,000 in signing bonuses and $1,000,000 in base salary. He is a 38 year old left wing who was born on Sep. 17, 1985.

Who is the richest NHL player right now? ›

Topping the list of the NHL's highest on-ice earners for 2023-24 is the Colorado Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon, who signed a record eight-year, $100.8 million extension after the Avs' Stanley Cup win in 2022.

Who is the highest paid NHL player in 2024? ›

NHL's Highest-Paid Players - 2024-25 Season
  • Auston Matthews. TOR. $13.25M.
  • Nathan MacKinnon. COL. $12.6M.
  • Connor McDavid. EDM. $12.5M.
  • Artemi Panarin. NYR. $11.64M.
  • Elias Pettersson.
Mar 2, 2024

What is the average NHL player's salary? ›

Nhl Player Salary
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$189,000$15,750
75th Percentile$142,000$11,833
Average$123,905$10,325
25th Percentile$93,500$7,791

Are NHL salaries guaranteed? ›

All salaries still count towards the league-wide share of revenue that the players receive. The NHL became the first of the major North American leagues to implement a hard cap while retaining "guaranteed player contracts".

What is Sidney Crosby's salary? ›

Sidney Crosby signed a 12 year , $104,400,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, including $104,400,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $8,700,000. In 2024-25, Crosby will earn a base salary of $3,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $8,700,000.

Who is Ovechkin's wife? ›

How close is Ovechkin to Gretzky? ›

While Ovechkin still trails Gretzky by 55 on the NHL's all-time goals list (894), there are several records he's already taken from The Great One over the last few years. On February 10, Ovechkin took the empty-net goals record from Gretzky after tallying his 57th ENG in a game against the Boston Bruins.

What is Wayne Gretzky's net worth in 2024? ›

Wayne Gretzky has amassed an estimated net worth of $250 million in 2024, making him one of the wealthiest athletes in the world.

How much do NHL refs make? ›

NHL Referees Make Up to $430,000 per Year

That swollen salary is reserved for the most seasoned referees with at least 15 years of experience. Entry-level salaries earmarked for first-year refs start at $200,000. Referees earn an incremental yearly increase and are expected to officiate up to 73 games per season.

What was Gretzky's salary? ›

Wayne Gretzky's contract history includes a significant deal he signed in 1997. In that contract, he agreed to a 2-year deal worth $13,000,000, with an average salary of $6,500,000 per year. The contract did not specify signing bonuses, and Gretzky retired after playing his last game in the 1998-99 season.

What is Connor Bedard's salary? ›

Base Salary and Signing Bonus

For the 2023-24 season, Bedard will receive a base salary of $855,000. Additionally, he will receive a signing bonus of $95,000. These two components make up Bedard's salary for the season, totaling $950,000.

Who has the most Stanley Cups? ›

Which team has hoisted the Stanley Cup the most times? That would be the Montreal Canadiens, with 24 titles. Next are the Toronto Maple Leafs, with 13 championships, followed by the Detroit Red Wings, the winners of 11 Stanley Cups.

What is the most financially successful NHL team? ›

The latest ranking reported that the New York Rangers is the most valuable NHL franchise after the 2021–22 NHL season. The fastest growing NHL franchise is the Edmonton Oilers, with a 136.1% increase in valuation since the 2017–18 NHL season ($0.575 billion to $1.275 billion).

What is the minimum NBA salary? ›

The minimum salary for players signing contracts in the 2023-2024 NBA season amounted to over 1.1 million U.S. dollars. This is the first time that the minimum salary has exceeded the one million dollar mark, with the minimum salary in the 2021-2022 season estimated at just over 925 thousand U.S. dollars.

What is the NFL minimum salary? ›

The NFL league minimum for a rookie salary is $795,000 for the 2024 season. Because of the current collective bargaining agreement, the minimum salary increases based on the number of years a player has been in the NFL.

What is the MLB minimum salary? ›

For players on their first MLB contract, the minimum salaries for the years 2022 to 2026 are as follows: 2022: $57,200. 2023: $58,800. 2024: $60,300.

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