Wayne Gretzky has joined TNT as an NHL analyst for the upcoming 2021-22 season. Turner Sports, the owner of TNT, recently signed a monumental television deal with the NHL to host games next season. The signing resulted in TNT and Turner Sports looking for capable analysts to take charge and lead various shows to help promote the NHL and itself. Bringing the Great One on will surely help due to his name recognition alone, but the potential insight he can provide could pay dividends to the viewing experience.

Gretzky stepped down from his role as an executive with the Edmonton Oilers shortly after their first-round series loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets swept the Oilers, and in previous years have had little success encouraging Gretzky to maintain his role with the organization. It is undetermined whether the unsuccessful seasons with the Oilers played a factor in Gretzky leaving to TNT, but a large role is the contract he received from Turner Sports.

The broadcasting company paid a king’s ransom for the Great One. This upcoming season, Gretzky will earn around 3 million dollars, much more than what ESPN was willing to give as they also look for big-name hockey analysts. The length of the contract is unknown but is assumed to be a multi-year deal. The luxurious contract was enough to entice Gretzky, but now it is up to him to provide entertaining television for all of America.

Bringing in Gretzky is huge for the viewership in the United States. Devoted hockey fans will watch the games regardless of who is talking in between intermissions; however, for a casual viewer, seeing a household name like Gretzky may entice them to stick around and see what he has to say. Household hockey names are not something that is found much in the United States. While hockey is beloved, it is competing with three other major sporting leagues that take priority over. The NBA, NFL, and MLB all have larger fan bases than the NHL, so bringing in a widely recognized name, even to the casual viewer, will help boost popularity and ratings.

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While it may not seem like it, Wayne Gretzky can help the NHL explode in the United States. Name recognition is essential in entertainment television, and having vast hockey knowledge like Gretzky will help explain things many other pundits and fans may not see on the ice. Since he was an executive, he can also provide insight into the inner workings of NHL organizations and give information on various topics such as scouting or drafting.

Gretzky to TNT is a home-run for Turner Sports and the NHL. Despite the hefty price tag, Gretzky has all the tangibles to be a fantastic analyst and provide intriguing intermission entertainment along with other projects he may be working on during his time at Turner Sports.