Kings Ransom

About Kings Ransom

One of the ESPN-produced sports films highlighting significant people and moments in athletic history. The 1988 trade of famed hockey player Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings is examined in this movie, along with its circumstances and effects.

Oilers fans were pissed!!! And that's where crisis management comes in.

Gretzky and other others spoke about how crucial hockey was to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, especially in the 1980s. After only a few years as an established NHL franchise, the Oilers made history by winning the Stanley Cup multiple times, with the first time coming in 1984. During his stint with the Oilers, Gretzky is crucial in achieving these triumphs and shattering countless records. During this time, the squad experiences astonishing levels of popularity. Beginning in 1985, Jerry Buss hired Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall to woo Oilers owner Peter Pocklington into transferring him Gretzky for progressively larger sums. Gretzky's contract was renegotiated in 1988 to include a two-year unrestricted free agent clause. Knowing that Gretzky's value as a player is probably much more than his Oilers salary, Pocklington decides to deal Gretzky to the Kings for $15,000,000 in exchange for other concessions as his financial situation worsens.

Wayne Gretzky had the chance to talk to McNall about the deal before it is completed in this 30 for 30 episode. The Wayne Gretzky 30 for 30 is set with him residing in Los Angeles after just getting married. When Pocklington called during a meeting with Gretzky, according to McNall, he appeared to be trying to justify his personal reasons for dealing with the player. Gretzky, who feels abandoned by the Oilers, appears to be persuaded by this episode to proceed with the transfer. The marriage of Gretzky to actress Janet Jones attracted a lot of media interest and investigation. In the week following their wedding, trade rumours are rampant, which particularly enrages Oilers head coach Glen Sather, who tries to attempt to stop it from happening. The transaction was completed on August 9, 1988. Despite being given multiple chances to personally cancel the trade, Gretzky decides to go through with it and holds a tearful press conference to make the announcement.

In Edmonton, the fan reaction was highly hostile, especially toward Pocklington. Pocklington is alleged to have made derogatory remarks about Gretzky the day following the transfer, inflaming Edmontonians' resentment. Jones was not the one who allegedly influenced Gretzky's choice, but many people still hold her responsible. Gretzky's presence in Los Angeles marks a shift in the way the public views hockey, and the popularity of the Kings soars. Games routinely sell out, and the Kings attract media attention. Looking back, Gretzky can see why the Oilers' management made the choices they did, thinking it was vital to uphold the reputation of their organization. The Kings play the Oilers in Canada on October 19, 1988, to much excitement. Despite leading the Kings to five playoff appearances, Gretzky is not able to help them win the Stanley Cup. Before Pocklington sells the Oilers in 1998, they capture one more Stanley Cup in 1990. Since the trade, the NHL has grown, with the addition of two more clubs from California.

Kings Ransom's Relation To Sport Business

The Wayne Gretzky 30 for 30 Documentary Hockey Fans Were Waiting For

Why watch Kings Ransom?

Trailer & Extras