Alex Ovechkin vs Sidney Crosby: Comparing net worth, career earnings, and endorsements of two NHL legends

Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are two of the biggest names in the NHL and bonafide legends in the league with records to their names that will take ages to break. While the “Great 8” has solidified himself as the greatest goalscorer in NHL history, “Sid the Kid” is perhaps the single most complete player in the league’s history.

The two have been the greatest of rivals and have shared Stanley Cups, MVP trophies and more than 3000 points between themselves. Both were the #1 picks in their respective draft years and remained the cornerstone of their franchise since then. The two have also earned millions of dollars through some of the biggest NHL contracts of all time but their approaches have been as different as their playing styles.

Alex Ovechkin's Net Worth, Career Earnings and Endorsement Portfolio

The Washington Capitals captain currently stands as the all-time leader in the league for goals with 914 goals, having broken Wayne Gretzky’s record in 2025. This has allowed Ovechkin to amass a net worth of approximately $80 million as of 2026.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, a major part of Ovi’s income has been through his NHL earnings over his 21 seasons with the Capitals. The Russian star has earned nearly $171 million in NHL salary throughout his career, according to HockeyZonePlus.

That makes him second on the list for all-time league earnings. His current five-year, $47.5 million contract carries an annual cap hit of $9.5 million and runs through the 2025-26 season.

Ovechkin's first major contract was a groundbreaking 13-year, $124 million deal signed in 2008 that represented the first $100 million-plus contract in hockey history. That massive extension paid him an average of $9.5 million annually through the 2020-21 season.

His current deal includes $34.5 million in signing bonuses out of the total $47.5 million guaranteed. For the 2025-26 campaign, Ovechkin earns a base salary of $5 million plus a $4 million signing bonus. He'll become an unrestricted free agent at age 40 when the contract expires.
Beyond his NHL salary, Ovechkin generates approximately $5 million annually through endorsement deals, according to Forbes. While he is most well-known for his commercials with Papa John’s International, he also has some major partnerships with Nike, Upper Deck, and Hublot watches.

But what really expanded his portfolio over the past few months is when Ovi broke Gretzky’s record of 894 league goals in April 2025. Since then, he has formed some new partnerships with Venture Global Energy, as well as multiple licensing partners associated with “The GR8 Chase” campaign.

Ovechkin has invested in real estate throughout his career. In 2012, he purchased a mansion in McLean, Virginia, for $4.2 million. The property spans over 11,000 square feet with seven bedrooms and five bathrooms on more than an acre of land. Notable features include a mahogany deck and cherry-paneled elevator.

Sidney Crosby's Net Worth, Career Earnings and Endorsement Deals

Crosby's net worth stands at approximately $75 million as of 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain has built his fortune entirely through his 20 seasons with the same organization.

The Canadian superstar has earned $165.7 million in NHL salary throughout his career, according to HockeyZonePlus, ranking third all-time in league earnings. In June 2021, Crosby surpassed Jaromir Jagr to become the highest-paid player in NHL history at that time with $129 million in career earnings.

Crosby's current two-year, $17.4 million extension carries an annual cap hit of $8.7 million and runs through the 2026-27 season. The deal includes modest base salaries of $780,000 in 2025-26 and $1.09 million in 2026-27, with the bulk coming through signing bonuses of $9 million and $6.53 million, respectively.

The $8.7 million annual value represents a tribute to his birthday (8/7/87) and jersey number. Crosby has maintained that exact cap hit across three consecutive contracts spanning 19 years, consistently leaving money on the table to help Pittsburgh maintain roster flexibility.

His previous 12-year, $104.4 million contract, signed in 2012, also carried the $8.7 million AAV. Before that, Crosby signed a five-year, $43.5 million deal in 2007 with the same annual value.

Crosby's endorsement portfolio focuses on selective, high-quality partnerships rather than maximum quantity. His major deals include Adidas, Tim Hortons, Gatorade (PepsiCo), and Bell Telecommunications.

His first significant endorsement came at age 16 when he signed a $300,000 contract with Gatorade. In 2010, Crosby inked a landmark deal with Reebok worth $1.4 million annually that lasted five to seven years, representing the most lucrative brand endorsement ever signed by an NHL player at that time.

In 2015, Crosby signed a six-year contract with Adidas after Reebok's parent company acquired the hockey equipment manufacturer. The exact financial terms haven't been disclosed publicly, though industry estimates suggest it generates millions annually.

Who Is Richer? Comparing The Two Legends

The Great 8 holds a slight edge over his career rival when it comes to net worth. While Crosby stands at $75 million, Ovechkin boasts a net worth of $80 million. This difference of $5 million is because of multiple reasons, especially how their teams operate.

Coincidentally, the two also have a gap of $5 million in their career earnings, with Crosby’s $165 million to Ovechkin’s $170 million. On one hand, Crosby has made a name for himself with his team-friendly deals, while Ovechkin has maximized profits while also showing more business savviness with his endorsement deals.

Ovechkin has earned approximately $5 million more in NHL salary throughout their careers, with $170.7 million compared to Crosby's $165.7 million. Ovechkin also generates an estimated $5 million annually through endorsements, potentially exceeding Crosby's endorsement income.

Ultimately, both Ovechkin and Crosby will retire as two of the wealthiest players in NHL history, regardless of who finishes with the higher net worth.


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