Latest news with #GR8Moments
Forbes
13-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Alex Ovechkin Aims To Add To Business Portfolio After Breaking NHL Goal-Scoring Record
Alex Ovechkin's chase to become hockey's all-time greatest goal-scorer may have ended last Sunday with career tally No. 895, but the effects for the Russian superstar's marketing and business portfolio will likely continue for the foreseeable future. 'The reality of it, the enormity of the historic moment, will probably take some time to sink in for everybody, not only myself, but him and his family, the Leonsis family, the Capitals organization and the league as a whole,' said David Abrutyn, who has served as Ovechkin's marketing agent for 17 seasons. 'The excitement and energy that you've seen around this chase as it neared its conclusion was reflective of the magnitude of the moment.' The financial impact of 'The GR8 Chase' — an official moniker developed and trademarked by Ovechkin and Abrutyn around the quest to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal mark of 894 — is worth several millions of dollars in additional revenue for the Capitals. That's according to an estimate provided by Jim Van Stone, president of business operations and chief commercial officer for Monumental Sports & Entertainment, to Sports Business Journal in March (Abrutyn declined to discuss with me the financial implications of The GR8 Chase for Ovechkin). In Oct. 2024, Forbes estimated that Ovechkin earned $5 million in off-ice monies, already making him one of the league's highest-paid players away from the ice rink. 'We're excited about the universe of opportunities that will be presented to him in all forms of marketing and partnerships, business ventures, licensing opportunities, and we'll evaluate those on a case-by-case basis,' Abrutyn said. 'To break a Wayne Gretzky record is even more meaningful because I don't think there's a sports fan in the world who doesn't know who Wayne Gretzky is. I think that is now true of Alex Ovechkin — that there aren't too many sports fans in the world who don't know he's now the all-time NHL leading goal-scorer.' Abrutyn, who is the global chief business officer for Creative Artists Agency Hockey, couldn't share specifics with me on potential new deals for Ovechkin or other prospective business opportunities. Still, the long-time sports business executive pointed to some of Ovechkin's current licensing and marketing partners who have already taken advantage of the milestone. Nike immediately recognized the 39-year-old Russian superstar on social media, while Upper Deck released a collection of GR8 Moments trading cards on its online platform. Fanatics unveiled special event merchandise and commemorative products to celebrate the milestone. Last Sunday, Ovechkin set the record for the most merchandise sales revenue by an NHLer in a single day across Fanatics' e-commerce network. A week ago, the Capitals also had a special Ovechkin-centric shop at Capital One Arena tied to The GR8 Chase. ESPN released a creative video on social media, produced by independent agency Arts & Letters Creative Co., after Ovechkin set the goal-scoring record. Meanwhile, Ovechkin's current portfolio includes the likes of the aforementioned Nike, Upper Deck and Fanatics, along with Papa John's and Venture Global, both of which are local to Washington, D.C., according to Abrutyn. There's also several licensing partners of The GR8 Chase, he said. Ovechkin's newly-announced partnership with the Capitals, V Foundation for Cancer Research and Hockey Fights Cancer, which raises awareness and money for pediatric cancer research, will continue throughout the rest of his NHL career. Most recently, the Capitals — together with startup collectibles company cllct — launched Capitals Authentics. The debut artifacts included the two nets from Ovechkin's record-tying and recording-setting goals. 'Alex has always been methodical with his approach to his business partners, and the same thing is going to be true here,' Abrutyn said. 'The aperture widens. Even though there was anticipation for it, there's a difference from could be, might be, to he now is. … What you need to do is methodically think about other global, iconic athletes who have had a lifetime and beyond of business ventures born out of being the all-time greatest in your sport. Alex is now in that position.'
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Upper Deck Celebrates Alex Ovechkin's Historic All-Time NHL Goals Record With GR8 Moments Trading Cards
Fans can immediately collect Ovechkin's historic moments with GR8 Moments trading cards CARLSBAD, Calif., April 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upper Deck, the worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles and memorabilia, congratulates Washington Capitals left wing and captain, Alex Ovechkin, on his career-defining achievement of becoming the NHL's all-time goal scoring leader. To help fans encapsulate iconic moments in 'The Great 8's' career, the company will release the GR8 Moments trading cards on its Upper Deck e-PackⓇ platform today at 5pm PT that highlight key moments including the record-breaking goal from his illustrious career. Ovechkin scored his record-breaking 895th goal in his 1,487 career game. In addition to the NHL's all-time goals record, Ovechkin also owns the records for most power-play goals, overtime goals, 40-goal seasons and shots on goal. Ovechkin has scored on an NHL-record 183 different goaltenders, while his 179 multi-goal games rank second in League history. Ovechkin, who has spent his entire 20-year career with the Capitals, is one of only 11 players in NHL history to reach the 1,600-point mark and just the seventh to do so with a single franchise. 'From his Young Guns card in '05-'06 to this history-defining goal, it's been incredible to document Alex's one-of-a-kind career through trading cards. Fans across all generations understand that we have witnessed history on the ice, and this is their chance to be a part of that,' said Jason Masherah, president of Upper Deck. 'As fans, these are the moments we live for. As Upper Deck, celebrating these iconic moments through trading cards is at the heart of what we do.' Collectors will be able to purchase these cards for eight days. Along with the card showcasing Ovechkin's record-breaking goal, there are seven additional trading cards featuring historic moments from his career, such as scoring his 100th goal and winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. Chase elements include Red, Blue and Gold parallel cards, and a highly sought-after autograph parallel, each falling as a bonus card in select packs. Achievements will also be awarded to collectors who redeem the complete base set, as well as the complete parallel sets. 'It is a huge honor for me for Upper Deck to make special collections for fans to celebrate this moment in our sport. I'm so thankful for all the support from our great fans,' said Alex Ovechkin. Fans can preview cards from the set and sign-up to get notified when the GR8 Moments trading cards are available to purchase. More information on the hobby shop trading card set will be provided at a later date. About Upper DeckUpper Deck is a global entertainment company creating trading cards, memorabilia, collectibles, games, and online platforms that deliver the experiences collectors crave. Upper Deck has set the unmatched industry standard for quality, authenticity, and innovation and continues to bring generations of fans closer to their favorite athletes and characters with unique and authentic sports and entertainment product offerings, as well as its digital trading ecosystem. The company prides itself on creating collectibles that produce invaluable experiences for sports and entertainment's most dedicated and loyal fans, with a goal to deliver excellence to the community across the most coveted properties as a means to develop memorable moments for collectors of all kinds. Find more information at or follow us on Facebook (/UpperDeck), Instagram (UpperDeckSports), Twitter (UpperDeckSports), and YouTube (UDvids). NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. NHL and NHL team marks are the property of the NHL and its teams. © 2025 NHL. All Rights Reserved. NHLPA, National Hockey League Players' Association and the NHLPA logo are registered trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license. © NHLPA. All Rights Reserved. Media Contact:Nicole Brief, nicole@ in to access your portfolio
