Nancy Kerrigan Net Worth, 1993 Cobo Arena Attack, Post-Olympic Career, Sponsorships
Nancy Kerrigan is an accomplished American figure skater with a net worth of $10 million. She has won two Olympic medals and was crowned the U.S. Figure Skating Champion during the 1993 competitive season. Kerrigan is perhaps best known for her involvement in a highly publicized incident with rival Tonya Harding, which occurred in January 1994 and became one of the defining stories of the 1990s, catapulting both athletes to international fame.
Early Life
Nancy Ann Kerrigan was born on October 13, 1969, in Stoneham, Massachusetts. She is the youngest child of Daniel Kerrigan, a welder, and Brenda Kerrigan (née Schultz), a homemaker. Nancy has two brothers, Michael and Mark, both of whom played hockey. She began figure skating at the age of six and took private lessons starting at eight. To support her burgeoning skating career, her father often worked multiple jobs, including driving the Zamboni at their local rink in exchange for her lessons. After turning sixteen, she began training with coaches Evy and Mary Scotvold, who remained with her throughout her competitive career.
Career
Nancy Kerrigan’s competitive journey began when she won her first competition, the Boston Open, at just nine years old. She placed fourth at the junior level of the 1987 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, marking her ascent in national rankings. Known for her jumping prowess but weaker in compulsory figures, she made her senior debut in 1988, finishing 12th nationally. Over the years, she climbed up the ranks, achieving fifth place in 1989 and fourth in 1990. The elimination of compulsory figures after the 1990 season allowed Kerrigan to advance further.
In 1991, she secured third place at the U.S. Championships and won a bronze medal at the World Figure Skating Championships, contributing to a historic American sweep of the women’s podium alongside Kristi Yamaguchi and Tonya Harding. In 1992, Kerrigan continued to excel, finishing second at the national championships and winning a bronze medal at the Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. The following year, she became the U.S. champion despite a challenging season marked by falls during performances.
1993 Cobo Arena Attack
On January 6, 1994, during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Nancy Kerrigan was attacked by an assailant who struck her right thigh with a police baton as she exited a practice session. The attack was orchestrated by Jeff Gillooly, Tonya Harding’s then-husband, along with co-conspirator Shawn Eckardt. They intended to hinder Kerrigan’s participation in both the National Championships and the upcoming Olympics.
The question of Harding’s prior knowledge of this plot has been widely debated; she later pleaded guilty to covering up her husband’s involvement. Despite her injuries preventing participation in the National Championships—where Harding and Michelle Kwan took first and second place—Kerrigan was granted a spot on the U.S. Olympic team after fellow skaters advocated for her inclusion. Remarkably, she managed to compete at the 1994 Olympics just seven weeks post-attack and won a silver medal.
Post-Olympic Career
After retiring from competitive skating in 1995, Nancy Kerrigan transitioned into performing in various ice shows like “Champions on Ice” and “Broadway on Ice.” She also made several television appearances on shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” (2017) and “Fresh Off The Boat” (2018). In 2002, she published an instructional book titled “Artistry on Ice: Figure Skating Skills and Style.”
Sponsorships
Following her success at the 1992 Olympics, Nancy Kerrigan secured numerous corporate sponsorships from companies like Campbell’s Soup, Evian, Reebok, and Seiko. The notoriety from the Cobo Arena attack significantly enhanced her public profile; before competing in the 1994 Olympics, she signed endorsement contracts totaling approximately $9.5 million.
Personal Life
In 1995, Nancy Kerrigan married Jerry Solomon, who was also her agent. Together they have three children; Solomon has an additional son from a previous marriage. While none of her children are pursuing competitive skating careers—though they all can skate—Kerrigan remains actively involved in family life while cherishing memories of her skating journey and upbringing in Stoneham.
