Money isn’t everything but it’s a lot of things. Most of us will never be as rich as the 100th richest athlete, never mind the top 10, but it’s still fun to have a peek into the other side. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the highest-paid athletes of all time, specifically Canadian athletes. Here’s who has done best among us in the Great White North.
The Wealthiest Canadian Athletes
Let’s look at the top-earning athletes in Canada’s history.
10. Lance Stroll – Formula One – $55 Million
At 10th place is Lance Stroll, who is still an active athlete. He has been racing for Formula One, where he collects pretty decent checks with Aston Martin. While he might be last on our list, you don’t have to feel too bad for him. His dad, Lawrence Stroll, is a Canadian billionaire businessman and owns the Aston Martin F1 Team.
9. Joe Thornton – NHL – $78 Million
Jumbo Joe gave the NHL his best over 24 seasons, proving to be one of the best playmakers of all time. He too, fell short of winning a Stanley Cup, but did just about anything else you’d hope to accomplish on the ice.
8. Jarome Iginla – NHL – $78 Million
The former Calgary Flame has a collection of awards ranging from the Rocket Richard Trophy to the Art Ross to the Lester B. Pearson. He never won a Stanley Cup, but a padded bank account will probably soften the blow a little bit.
7. Chris Pronger – NHL – $87 Million
Most of the people on this list are offense-oriented — Pronger is the first defenseman of the bunch. The blue-line enforcer earned some big paychecks during his career. He played for 18 seasons, he’s been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and has had quite a stunning career. Pronger’s career ended in 2017 and he has since become a spokesperson in the gaming space, which has helped bump up his bank.
6. Sidney Crosby – NHL – $98 Million
Sid might no longer be “The Kid” but he’s always going to be a Canadian legend! He’s in the twilight of his career, he led the Pittsburgh Penguins to three Stanley Cup tournaments in his tenure (2009, 2016, and 2017). He definitely has more gas left in the tank to be part of another run.
5. Steve Nash – NBA – $125 Million
Steve Nash is not only a Hall of Fame NBA player but one of the most beloved Canadians. The two-time league MVP is not always in the public eye anymore. During his playing days, he racked up over $100 million doing it. He leads the way in his category as the richest Canadian basketball player.
4. Joey Votto – MLB – $141 Million
In terms of financial success, Joey Votto is the richest Canadian athlete in the sport of baseball. The six-time All-Star will continue to climb as his final contract (with the Cincinnati Reds) was worth $225 million over 10 years. 2024 is the last year he’s collecting from that paycheck, but he’ll still earn based on being one of the best Canadian baseball players.
3. Mario Lemieux – NHL – $200 Million
Mario “Super Mario” is one of the greatest NHL players of all time. He made just under $50 million in his playing career, but good financial decisions along with endorsement deals got him to the $200 million figure.
2. Wayne Gretzky – NHL – $320 Million
Wayne Gretzky “The Great One” didn’t make as much as you would think from on-ice contracts. A lot of his wealth has come from endorsement deals during and after his playing career. He’s not the richest Canadian, however, he’s done well for himself to have a net worth of more than $300 million.
1. Peter Thompson – NHL – $320 Million
Peter Thompson, who is part of one of the richest families in Canada is number one on the list, as the richest Canadian athlete of all time. The athlete part of his career is from his time as a rally racer. We do know though, rally racers don’t typically make hundreds of millions. He got into venture capital along with his family, which is one of the richest in the country.
Comparing Revenue: Top Earning Female Athletes Vs. Top Earning Male Athletes
You’ll notice that the top 10 richest athletes in Canada are all males. Unfortunately, not a single woman made the cut. Of course, men’s sports typically dominate (don’t cancel us, we’re just going by facts here). Young tennis star Leylah Fernandez has already amassed $6 million and she’s just 21 years of age. Much of that came in 2022, when she earned $4.5 million – the 10th most of any female athlete that year.
Sports Betting: Put Money on Your Favourite Athletes
Looking to place some bets on these popular athletes? Here’s a list of the five best places to do so.
Bodog Casino
Bodog Casino has a great product all the way around. From a sleek website to a smooth betting experience (we love their live betting), you’ll have a great time playing at Bodog.
TonyBet Casino
TonyBet is one of the new and best sports betting operators in town. They’ve quickly become popular in sports betting circles. TonyBet Casino has a great menu of lines and competitive pricing.
BetPlays Casino
BetPlays Casino is a solid option for both sports betting and casino games. With a generous welcome offer, you really can’t go wrong.
CashWin Casino
CashWin Casino has great customer service that’s worth highlighting. It’s always nice knowing you’ll have the support – if you need it. They also offer a $1000 welcome bonus along with 50 free spins, which is an awesome way to get started.
GreatWin Casino
GreatWin Casino has a wide variety of betting options. Whatever the athlete or sport you’re looking for, you’ll find it at GreatWin.
