For almost 20 years, Sidney Crosby has been one of the NHL’s most successful stars. But in today’s NHL, Connor McDavid has become the league’s biggest superstar and the face of modern hockey. 

There are always comparisons between the two great players in the same sport, whether it is their records, trophies, achievements, or impact in the game. But now, the debate goes far beyond goals and titles.

The latest comparison is about money, contracts, endorsements, and overall net worth.

According to Marca.com, McDavid’s estimated net worth in 2026 is around $70 million. Whereas Celebrity Net Worth reports Crosby’s net worth at about $75 million. Still, the gap between the two NHL stars is much smaller than many people expect.

Connor McDavid has seen huge financial growth during his prime years with the Edmonton Oilers. He first signed an $11.3 million rookie deal and later agreed to an 8-year, $100 million contract with a $12.5 million yearly cap hit. 

Off the ice, Connor McDavid earns over $5 million every year from deals with Adidas, CCM Hockey, BioSteel, and Rogers Communications. These deals have helped him become a global hockey star.

Sidney Crosby built his wealth through a long NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In 2021, he passed Jaromir Jagr to become the career earnings leader. His famous 12-year, $104.4 million contract and later 2024 extension kept his yearly salary at $8.7 million. 

With endorsement deals from Reebok, Adidas, Bell, Tim Hortons, and Gatorade, Crosby has earned over $150 million in NHL salary alone. By 2026, he will remain slightly richer. But McDavid’s trajectory suggests that gap may not last much longer.

Different paths to NHL wealth and legacy

The comparison between Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid is interesting because both players handled money and leadership in different ways.

Sidney Crosby built his success with long-term consistency, championships, and high career earnings with one team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Connor McDavid represents the modern superstar whose value increases every year.

Both players also focus more on team success than personal money. Crosby took team-friendly contracts during Pittsburgh’s Cup years, while McDavid avoided hurting Edmonton’s salary cap.

Sidney Crosby still has a higher net worth right now, but Connor McDavid’s age, endorsements, and future earnings could help him catch up later. For now, the race between them stays very close.

Read more at the NHL Fan Central

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Suyashdeep Sason