Ken Griffey Jr. Net Worth

What Is Ken Griffey Jr.'s Net Worth and Career Earnings?

Ken Griffey Jr. is an American former professional baseball player who has a net worth of $90 million. Ken Griffey Jr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most naturally gifted players in Major League Baseball history. Over his 22-season career, primarily with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds, Griffey became known for his smooth left-handed swing, explosive power, and outstanding defensive skills in center field. He finished with 630 career home runs, ranking among the all-time leaders, and was a 13-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and 1997 American League MVP. Griffey's popularity transcended the sport—he was a marketing icon of the 1990s and helped reenergize baseball with his charisma, youth, and undeniable talent.

Griffey was the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB Draft and made his major league debut in 1989 as a 19-year-old with the Mariners. By the mid-1990s, he was a cornerstone of the franchise, helping lead Seattle to its first playoff appearance in 1995. In that postseason, his electrifying play, including a memorable series-winning run against the Yankees, became legendary. After a blockbuster trade to the Cincinnati Reds in 2000, Griffey returned to his hometown but was plagued by injuries for much of the next decade. He later had a short stint with the Chicago White Sox and finished his career with a farewell season in Seattle in 2010.

Griffey was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, receiving 99.3% of the vote—the highest percentage at the time. Off the field, he became a global ambassador for the sport and was instrumental in promoting baseball to younger generations. His legacy is one of excellence, joy, and athleticism, and his influence is still felt across the game today.

Contracts, Salary & Career Earnings

During his playing career, Ken Griffey Jr. earned approximately $150 million in salary, which would be close to $200 million today after adjusting for inflation. His peak annual salary was $12.5 million, earned during four seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2001, 2003, 2004, and 2005). In 2001 terms, that's roughly equivalent to $20 million per year today. His final MLB salary came in 2010, when he earned $2.3 million during his final season with the Seattle Mariners.

Griffey's largest contract was a nine-year, $112.5 million deal signed with the Reds in February 2000, which included $57.5 million in deferred salary to be paid out over 16 years, with 4% annual interest. Those payments began in 2009 and continued through 2024, allowing the Reds to preserve payroll flexibility at the time while guaranteeing Griffey a steady income long after his playing days ended.

He received his final deferred payment — $3,593,750 — on July 1, 2024, officially concluding the agreement. His longtime agent Brian Goldberg described the arrangement as "like having a great annuity," designed to kick in after retirement when endorsement income had faded. In total, Griffey collected over $57 million from the Reds between 2009 and 2024, making him one of the highest-paid retired athletes in the game's history.

Early Life

George Kenneth Griffey Jr. was born on November 21, 1969, in Donora, Pennsylvania. Ken was born into athletic history, as his father, Ken Griffey Sr., was also an MLB player who joined the Cincinnati Reds when Ken Jr. was about six years old. After his father joined the Reds, the family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio. Griffey Jr. learned very early that the team's performance was more important than the individual's. This was a lesson instilled in him by his father.

Ken showed his athletic potential as a young boy, and he became an excellent baseball player during his high school years. He was named the US high school baseball player of the year in 1987 after hitting 17 home runs in two seasons. Despite showing promise as a baseball player, Ken Jr. also became a skilled football player and even received scholarship offers to play for numerous colleges.

Career

Ken Griffey Jr.'s career began in 1987 when he was drafted as the number one overall selection by the Seattle Mariners. He immediately received a signing bonus of $160,000 and gained experience with the Bellingham Mariners of the Northwest League and with the San Bernardino Spirit of the California League.

He made his first official appearance for the Mariners in 1989, and during the next 11 seasons, Ken truly made a name for himself. During this period, he hit 398 home runs and stole 167 bases. While playing defensively, Griffey became famous for spectacular diving catches. Another exciting moment came in 1990 when Ken and his father played on the same team together at the same time. This was a first in MLB history, and Ken's father eventually retired in 1991.

Griffey also played a vital role in a memorable victory against the New York Yankees in the Division Series. In 1997, he helped Seattle win the AL West crown. By 1999, injuries had diminished Ken's form, and he was overtaken by Sammy Sosa for home runs that season.

In 2000, Griffey was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. Again, his achievements paled in comparison to his earlier achievements. Injuries continued to plague Ken, and in 2004, he ruptured his right hamstring. By 2005, Ken's form had begun to return, and he was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year. Despite several years of respectable play with the Reds, Griffey's stint in Cincinnati is generally not seen as a positive one.

After a brief period with the Chicago White Sox, Griffey received a $4 million buyout and returned to the Mariners to end his career. During these last two years, he continued to play to a high standard – although some observers believed that he had simply been brought to Seattle to sell tickets. In 2010, Ken Griffey Jr. retired from professional baseball.

Seattle Sounders Ownership

In November 2020, Ken became a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders soccer club.

Endorsements

Ken supplemented his MLB salaries with a number of lucrative brand endorsement deals over the years. Two of his most memorable contracts were with the brands Nintendo and Nike. During his playing career, he was seen as one of the most marketable athletes in Major League Baseball, as he had a good image and was never linked to steroid use (unlike many of his contemporaries). Griffey was also featured on the box of Wheaties cereal at one point.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Film and Television Appearances

Outside of his baseball career, Griffey has appeared in a range of cameo roles for various films and television series. These include shows like "The Simpsons" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and films such as "Little Big League" and "Summer Catch."

Relationships

Griffey and his wife, Melissa, have welcomed two children into the world. They have also adopted a third child together. Their son George Kenneth III (also known as Trey Griffey) is a wide receiver in the NFL. Their daughter, Taryn, is also a member of the women's basketball team. The Griffey family currently lives in Florida.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Real Estate

In 2004, Ken paid $2.75 million for an enormous mansion in the Orlando suburb of Windermere. The 10+ acre lakefront property features a 24,000-square-foot mansion with a sports court, resort-style pool, and dock. He also owns at least one of the vacant lots surrounding the property for extra privacy.

Health Issues

Griffey suffers from pleurisy, a condition that causes the lining of the lungs to become inflamed, resulting in significant pain. He was first diagnosed with the condition in 2007.

Suicide Attempt

At the age of 18, Ken Griffey Jr. attempted suicide. He tried to overdose on Aspirin by consuming more than 250 pills, but his life was saved after he was taken to an intensive care unit in a hospital. He admitted that he had previously contemplated suicide before this attempt, and he also stated that arguments with his father, combined with his depression, pushed him towards taking his own life.

Philanthropy

Griffey has founded The Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation, a fund that supports charities such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and numerous hospitals. To raise money for his foundation, Ken created a series of wines in 2008.

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