Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ken Griffey Jr.’s Net Worth?
Ken Griffey Jr., the iconic American former professional baseball player, boasts a net worth of approximately $90 million. This substantial wealth is largely attributable to his successful baseball career, endorsement deals, and savvy investments. Griffey Jr., also known as “Junior” or “the Kid,” captivated fans with his remarkable home run hitting ability and exceptional defensive skills.
Ken Griffey Jr.’s Career Earnings and Contracts
During his illustrious career, Ken Griffey Jr. accumulated approximately $150 million in salary alone. Adjusting for inflation, this figure is equivalent to around $190 million today. His peak annual salary reached $12.5 million, which he earned in four seasons: 2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005. In 2001, earning $12.5 million is the equivalent of earning $18.4 million in today’s dollars. His final MLB salary was $2.3 million.
Griffey Jr.’s most significant contract was a nine-year, $116.5 million deal signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 2000. A noteworthy aspect of this contract was that half of the money was deferred to a future date. As a result, Ken Griffey Jr. continues to receive $3.5 million per year from the Reds organization until 2025. This deferred payment arrangement highlights the long-term financial planning undertaken by Griffey Jr. and his representatives.
Early Life and Background
George Kenneth Griffey Jr. was born on November 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania. He comes from an athletic background; his father, Ken Griffey Sr., was also an MLB player who joined the Cincinnati Reds when Ken Jr. was around six years old. The family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, after his father joined the Reds. Griffey Jr. quickly understood that team performance was more important than individual achievements, which was a lesson his father instilled in him.
As a young boy, Ken demonstrated athletic potential, becoming an excellent baseball player in high school. In 1987, he was named the US high school baseball player of the year after hitting 17 home runs over two seasons. In addition to baseball, Ken Jr. was a skilled football player who received scholarship offers from several colleges. However, he ultimately chose to pursue a career in baseball.
Professional Baseball Career
Ken Griffey Jr.’s professional career began in 1987 when the Seattle Mariners selected him as the number one overall pick in the MLB draft. He received a $160,000 signing bonus and gained experience with the Bellingham Mariners of the Northwest League and the San Bernardino Spirit of the California League. He made his official debut for the Mariners in 1989, and over the next 11 seasons, he established himself as a superstar. During this period, he hit 398 home runs and stole 167 bases. Griffey became known for his spectacular diving catches while playing defense.
In 1990, an exciting moment occurred when Ken and his father played together on the same team. This marked the first time in MLB history that a father and son played together simultaneously. His father retired in 1991. Griffey also played a key role in a memorable victory against the New York Yankees in the Division Series. In 1997, he helped Seattle win the AL West crown.
Injuries began to affect Ken’s performance by 1999, and Sammy Sosa surpassed him in home runs that season. In 2000, Griffey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. However, his performance did not match his earlier achievements. Injuries continued to plague Ken, and he ruptured his right hamstring in 2004. By 2005, Ken’s form had started to return, and he was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year. Despite some respectable seasons with the Reds, his time in Cincinnati is not generally regarded as successful. Following a brief stint with the Chicago White Sox, Griffey received a $4 million buyout and returned to the Mariners to finish his career. He played to a high standard during these final two years, although some speculated that he had been brought to Seattle primarily to boost ticket sales. Ken Griffey Jr. retired from professional baseball in 2010.
Seattle Sounders Ownership
In November 2020, Ken became a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders soccer club. The specific financial details of this ownership stake have not been publicly disclosed, but it represents a diversification of his investment portfolio beyond baseball.
Endorsements and Media Appearances
Throughout his career, Ken Griffey Jr. supplemented his MLB salaries with several lucrative endorsement deals. Two of his most notable partnerships were with Nintendo and Nike. These endorsements contributed significantly to his overall earnings and enhanced his public image. During his playing career, he was regarded as one of the most marketable athletes in Major League Baseball due to his positive image and lack of association with steroid use, unlike many of his contemporaries. Griffey was also featured on the box of Wheaties cereal.
Outside of his baseball career, Griffey has made cameo appearances in various films and television shows, including “The Simpsons,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Little Big League,” and “Summer Catch.” These appearances further broadened his reach and appeal to a wider audience.
Relationships and Family Life
Griffey and his wife Melissa have three children together. They have two biological children and one adopted child. Their son, George Kenneth III (also known as Trey Griffey), is a wide receiver in the NFL. Their daughter, Taryn, plays on the women’s basketball team. The Griffey family currently resides in Florida.
Real Estate Holdings
In 2004, Ken Griffey Jr. purchased an enormous mansion in Windermere, a suburb of Orlando, for $2.75 million. The lakefront property spans over 10 acres and features a 24,000-square-foot mansion. The estate includes amenities such as a sports court, a resort-style pool, and a dock. Additionally, Griffey owns at least one of the vacant lots surrounding the property, ensuring extra privacy.
Health and Personal Challenges
Griffey suffers from pleurisy, a condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the lungs, resulting in severe pain. He received his initial diagnosis in 2007. At the age of 18, Ken Griffey Jr. attempted suicide by overdosing on Aspirin, consuming over 250 pills. He was taken to an intensive care unit, where his life was saved. He had contemplated suicide before this attempt and admitted that arguments with his father, combined with depression, led him to attempt to take his own life.
Philanthropy and Charitable Work
Griffey founded The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation, a fund that supports charities like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and various hospitals. To raise money for his foundation, Ken created a line of wines in 2008. While specific financial contributions and fundraising totals for the foundation are not publicly available, it underscores Griffey’s commitment to giving back to the community.
