Don Cherry‘s larger-than-life persona and passionate remarks have captivated audiences for decades. His name is synonymous with hockey and Canadian sports culture.
Due to his bright clothing, outspoken statements, and unusual coaching history, Cherry has become a hockey legend. His legacy goes beyond the ice, too, as his business ventures have also greatly impacted his financial success.
In this article, we talk about Don Cherry net worth and the many things that have affected it.
What is Don Cherry Net Worth and Salary in 2023?
As of 2023, Don Cherry, a Canadian ice hockey commentator, former pro hocker player, and NHL coach, is expected to be worth $14 million.
Throughout his ice hockey career, he has worked some different jobs, which have helped him get rich.
During his time as a ice hockey player, Cherry earned around $62,300, which is equivalent to $623,134 in today’s money. While coaching for the Rochester Americans and the Boston Bruins, he earned more than $315,000, or almost $1.7 million in today’s money.
In 1974, he signed a three-year contract with the Boston Bruins for an annual salary of $40,000.
After this deal, he was offered a new one for $60,000 annually for two years.
Cherry’s net worth went from $2.3 million to $12 million while he was a commentator on Sportsnet. This means he made over $10 million from his commentating job.
After being dismissed in November 2019, his net worth increased by $2 million to $14 million due to his other assets and activities, such as The Don Cherry’s Grapevine Podcast.
Don Cherry’s Overview
Early Life
Don Cherry was born on February 5, 1934 to Delmar and Maude Cherry, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. His paternal grandfather, John T. Cherry, was an original member of the North-West Mounted Police and a Great Lakes ship captain.
In contrast, his maternal grandfather, Richard Palamountain, was a British orphan of Cornish parentage who emigrated to Canada as one of the Home Children.
Don’s father, Del, was an amateur athlete and worked as an electrician with the Canadian Steamship Lines.
He quit high school in 1954 to focus on hockey and signed with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League.
Playing Career
Cherry played junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey Association for the Barrie Flyers and the Windsor Spitfires. In 1953, the Barrie Flyers won the Memorial Cup.
In 1954, Cherry signed with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). This was the start of a long and successful career in the minor leagues.
During this time, he played one game for the Boston Bruins in the NHL during the playoffs in 1955. Unfortunately, an off-season injury prevented him from returning to the NHL.
Despite this setback, his team won the AHL championship and the Calder Cup in 1960, 1965, 1966, and 1968.
He also won the Lester Patrick Cup and the Western Hockey League Championship with the Vancouver Canucks in 1969.
Cherry played defense for 16 years in the minor leagues before he quit in 1970. In 1972, he came back for 19 games with the Rochester Americans.
Coaching Career
He started teaching in the middle of the 1971–72 season with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. There, he won Coach of the Year and later became the team’s General Manager.
Cherry was made head coach of the Boston Bruins in the NHL in 1974. He led the team to four division wins and two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals.
He won the Jack Adams Award for NHL Coach of the Year in 1976. Cherry also coached the Colorado Rockies and was an assistant coach for Team Canada at the 1976 Canada Cup.
After retiring from coaching, he became a Canadian icon through his 39-year stint on Coach’s Corner and other media appearances.
Broadcasting Career
Don Cherry’s broadcasting career began in 1980 when he was hired as a studio analyst for CBC’s playoff coverage.
He became a full-time color commentator in 1981, but his outspoken nature led to Coach’s Corner, a segment on Hockey Night in Canada.
Cherry co-hosted this segment with Ron MacLean from 1986 to 2019, becoming known for his flamboyant attire and strong opinions.
In addition to his work on Hockey Night in Canada, Cherry hosted radio and television shows such as Don Cherry’s Grapevine and Don Cherry’s This Week in Hockey.
Cherry was very famous but got into a lot of trouble during his career. He was fired from Sportsnet in 2019 because he said hurtful things about Canadian immigrants and Remembrance Day poppies.
Other Entertainment Work
Don Cherry has also ventured into acting, appearing in various television series and films.
In the TV show Power Play, he played Jake Nelson. He also lent his voice to cartoon projects like Zeroman, Disney’s The Wild, and Mickey Mouse’s Bad Ear Day episode.
Cherry has also appeared in The Tragically Hip’s music video The Darkest One and the Goosebumps episode Don’t Go to Sleep! where he portrayed a hockey coach.
Despite his primary focus on sports, Cherry’s acting career showcases his versatility and ability to entertain audiences in different mediums.
Business Ventures
In the 1980s, Don Cherry went into business by starting Don Cherry’s Sports Grill, a chain of sports bars and restaurants.
The chain started in Hamilton, Ontario, and now has sites in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
While Cherry began as a partner in the operation, he now licenses his name to the chain without holding a significant ownership stake.
The success of Don Cherry’s Sports Grill showcases Cherry’s entrepreneurial spirit and his ability to leverage his fame and passion for sports into a thriving business venture.
Charity Work
Don Cherry has dedicated a significant portion of his life to charity work.
He is particularly passionate about animal welfare and has established the Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation in collaboration with Simply Pets dog treats.
The foundation provides financial aid to registered pet rescue groups and educates the Canadian public on animal welfare issues.
Cherry’s commitment to helping animals stems from his lifelong love for dogs, which he believes reflects a person’s character.
Cherry has been known to support many other charitable projects, including those that help Canada’s indigenous people.
His philanthropic efforts demonstrate his compassionate nature and desire to impact the lives of both people and animals positively.
Why is Don Cherry Famous?
Don Cherry is known for his charm and hockey contributions. With his distinctive coaching approach and enthusiasm for hockey, he left his impact on the sport.
Cherry rose to stardom as a hockey analyst and television personality. In addition, his uncensored and often contentious remarks on Hockey Night in Canada’s Coach’s Corner have made him famous.
Don Cherry’s outspokenness, passion for the game, and charm have made him a polarizing figure in sports and entertainment.
FAQs about Don Cherry
What was Don Cherry’s salary as a player?
Don Cherry signed a two-year, $1,020,000 contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, which included an average yearly salary of $510,000.
Who is Don Cherry married to now?
Don Cherry is currently married to his second wife, Luba. His first wife, Rosemarie, passed away from cancer in 1997.
What is Don Cherry’s height?
Don Cherry stands at 5 ft 10 in (1.8 m) tall.
What are some of Don Cherry’s business ventures?
Don Cherry opened a chain of restaurants called Don Cherry’s Sports Grill and partnered with Pethealth Inc. to create the CherryBlue Pet Insurance program.
What is Don Cherry’s charity work?
Don Cherry started the Don Cherry Pet Rescue Foundation and has his own lines of pet snacks sold under the Simply Pets name. All of the profits go to animal charities. He is also an advocate for organ donation.
Why was Don Cherry removed from Sportsnet?
He was fired from Sportsnet in 2019 after making controversial comments that some people thought were racist. This led to complaints from different groups and the end of Coach’s Corner.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Don Cherry’s net worth reflects his extraordinary hockey career and beyond. Cherry’s financial success reflects his zeal and larger-than-life personality.
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