Wayne Gretzky resigns as vice chairman of Edmonton Oilers to join TNT as broadcast analyst

After re-joining the Edmonton Oilers as its vice chairman in 2016, Wayne Gretzky released a statement Tuesday on Twitter saying that he intends to “step away” from his post. Gretzky’s departure comes less than 24 hours after the Oilers were swept out of the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. Edmonton was favored to win, but the Winnipeg Jets took the series 4-0.

According to reports, Gretzky has signed a contract with TNT “in the neighborhood of $3 million per season.” ESPN and TNT are taking over the NHL broadcast rights starting with the 2021-22 season; NBC had previously owned them.