OJ Simpson Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Was O.J. Simpson’s Net Worth, Salary, and Career Earnings?

An American football player, sports commentator, and actor, O.J. Simpson had a net worth of $3 million. He estimated his financial status to be $10.8 million during a court filing in his 1992 divorce. This figure ultimately represented Simpson’s highest net worth, which, for context, equates to about $25 million today when adjusted for inflation. Approximately half of his net worth in 1992 derived from the value of his Brentwood estate, purchased in 1977 for $650,000 (approximately $3.5 million today). As per the terms of their divorce settlement, O.J. reported a monthly income of $55,000 in 1992. Adjusted for inflation, that is about $125,000 per month, roughly $1.5 million annually in today’s terms. Much of this income stemmed from his endorsement contract with Hertz. In the divorce settlement, he agreed to pay Nicole $10,000 per month for child support, along with a lump sum of $433,750 (equal to $1 million today after inflation). Additionally, he transferred a rental property located in San Francisco to Nicole.

In 1995, Simpson was found not guilty of the murders of Ron Goldman and his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. To spare their children from testifying against their father, Nicole’s family opted not to sue Simpson in civil court. Conversely, the family of Ronald Goldman filed a civil lawsuit against O.J. and was awarded $33.5 million in damages, approximately $65 million in current value. Over the years, this amount with interest has risen to just under $100 million today. Around $500,000 was contributed to this through the sale of various assets and memorabilia. Additionally, O.J. Simpson received a criminal conviction stemming from a robbery/kidnapping incident in Las Vegas in 2007.

The entirety of O.J. Simpson’s net worth was depleted by his criminal trial. He remained in his Brentwood mansion until eviction in 1997 due to mortgage default. The 6,200-square-foot property was purchased in foreclosure for $4 million and subsequently demolished in 1998. Following his eviction, O.J. relocated to Florida and shortly filed for bankruptcy. Importantly, he declared bankruptcy after settling in Florida, a state where primary residences are protected from seizure in bankruptcy proceedings. Moreover, in the years following his acquittal, O.J.’s main income source was a fully-funded NFL pension reportedly valued at up to $5 million, which, along with additional pensions, generated around $400,000 annually. State legislation safeguarded this pension from claims by the Goldman family. O.J. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 after battling cancer.

Rockingham Mansion Foreclosure

As previously mentioned, in 1977, O.J. purchased a residence at 360 N. Rockingham in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood for $650,000. He was not the initial celebrity resident of this home; it was previously leased by the married couple James Taylor and Carly Simon. O.J. and Nicole married at this house in 1985.

In July 1997, after O.J. neglected to make mortgage payments totaling $86,000, the estate went to a foreclosure auction. The bidding commenced at $1.875 million. After a three-minute public auction, the victor was Hawthorne Savings, O.J.’s mortgage lender, whose winning bid amounted to $2,631,259, precisely $100,000 more than what Simpson owed on the property. There was only one other bidder participating in the auction.

The former mansion of O.J. in Brentwood encompassed 6,200 square feet and boasted features such as a tennis court, an Olympic-sized pool with waterfalls, and a sizable multi-unit guesthouse (which was famously endlimit…)was known for his vibrant personality. During his formative years, O.J. faced challenges, including financial struggles, which ultimately influenced his ambitions.

In July 1998, the house was razed, and a newer mansion was constructed at a different address to deter tourists. This new residence was sold in November 2005 for $13.6 million.

Following his acquittal, O.J. undertook a comprehensive tour of the Rockingham estate in 1996, aiming to demonstrate his innocence. Check out the video tour here:

In 2000, he acquired a property in Miami for $575,000, situated at 9450 SW 112th Street. However, it fell into foreclosure in 2012 when his daughter ceased mortgage payments while Simpson was incarcerated in Nevada. The property went to a foreclosure auction in 2014, selling for $513,000. In 2023, the home was demolished, and by February 2024, the 1.6-acre lot had been listed at $2.4 million.

3 More Facts About O.J. Simpson’s Net Worth

#1: As shared by a close associate, O.J. possessed a pension investment account valued at approximately $2 million before his arrest in the ’90s. This fund has been passively managed over the years, leading the friend to estimate its current worth between $2 million and $5 million. Additionally, O.J. received a modest pension from the Screen Actor’s Guild due to his work in film and television. Importantly, pension funds are safeguarded from legal claims and bankruptcy, meaning that the Goldman family could not access these assets. Reportedly, these pensions generated around $400,000 annually for Simpson.

#2: All income generated outside of his pension funds was directed towards settling the $33.5 million civil judgment owed to the Goldman family. To date, $500,000 has been paid towards those damages, primarily from an auction of his possessions in the ’90s.

#3: Speculation arose regarding O.J. hiding millions in overseas accounts, particularly in the Cayman Islands. The Goldman family long entertained these suspicions. The rumors gained traction during the 2008 robbery trial that led to O.J.’s imprisonment, when one victim stated (caught on a secret recording):

“Nobody puts a gun in my face. I stood up for [him] while he was in jail. I stood up for him in the press. I stood up for him… on the stand. I helped him set up his offshore accounts.“

Early Life

Born as Orenthal James Simpson on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California, O.J. was raised by his mother, Eunice, who worked as a hospital administrator, and his father, Jimmy Lee Simpson, a chef and bank custodian. O.J.’s father was also a well-known drag queen in the San Francisco Bay area, renowned for his colorful character.

later in life, he publicly came out as gay and succumbed to AIDS in 1986.

Following his parents’ separation in 1952, O.J. was raised solely by his mother. During his early teens, he became involved with the street gang The Persian Warriors and spent some time in a juvenile detention center. A pivotal encounter with baseball legend Willie Mays motivated Simpson to make positive changes in his life and avoid trouble. After completing his education at Galileo High School, he enrolled in community college before earning a football scholarship to the University of Southern California. While at USC, he was a Heisman Trophy contender in his junior year and clinched the award during his senior year.

NFL Career

In 1969, the Buffalo Bills selected Simpson as their number-one draft pick. He insisted on what was, at that time, the largest contract in professional sports history: $650,000 for a five-year term. This demand led to considerable tension and a standoff with Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson. O.J. even hinted at walking away from football to pursue an acting career. Ultimately, Wilson conceded to Simpson’s demands. His performance in the first three years was challenging, averaging just 622 yards per season. It wasn’t until 1972 that O.J. broke the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his professional career. In 1973, he made history as the first NFL player to rush for over two thousand yards in a single season. By 1975, he regained the rushing title, accumulating 1,817 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. Unfortunately, his 1977 season was cut short by injury.

Prior to the 1978 season, O.J. was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he played for two seasons. His last NFL game took place on December 16, 1979, resulting in a defeat against the Atlanta Falcons. O.J.’s final play involved a 10-yard run on 3rd and 10 to secure a first down. He participated in six Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Additionally, he earned recognition in 2019 as part of the National Football League’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

NFL Earnings

Upon being drafted by the Bills in 1969, O.J. insisted on a five-year contract worth $650,000. Adjusting for inflation, this is approximately $5.5 million today. After a brief negotiation, he secured this lucrative deal, which at the time set the record for the largest contract in professional sports. Throughout his career, he remained among the highest-paid players in the league. Even in his final seasons, he held the title of the highest-paid player in the NFL. During the 1978 season, his leading salary was $733,668. In his last NFL season, he earned $806,668, equating to about $3.5 million in today’s terms. In comparison, the average NFL salary in 1979 stood at $69,000, or about $300,000 when adjusted for inflation. Walter Payton ranked as the league’s second-highest-paid player, earning $450,000 in 1979.

Nickname

The nickname “Juice” was derived as a pun on O.J., commonly short for orange juice. Additionally, “Juice” serves as a metaphor for electricity, suggesting a powerful entity. During the peak of O.J.’s career, the offensive line of the Bills was informally referred to as The Electric Company.

Entertainment Career

In addition to being a successful actor, television producer, and commercial spokesman, Simpson was notably active in the entertainment industry prior to his retirement from the NFL. He had already begun to secure roles in both television and film. Notable film appearances included “The Towering Inferno” (1974), “The Klansman” (1974), and “Capricorn One” (1978). Simpson took on the role of Detective Nordberg in the comedic “Naked Gun” trilogy (1988-1994). He also participated in various television productions, with a prominent role being in the 1977 series “Roots.” At one point, James Cameron considered O.J. for the lead in the 1984 film “The Terminator,” although Arnold Schwarzenegger was ultimately cast in the role, leaving Simpson out of the project.

Besides his acting endeavors, Simpson was well-known as an NFL commentator, particularly for “Monday Night Football.” He provided commentary for ABC between 1969 and 1977 and then again from 1983 to 1986, and he was also with NBC from 1978 to 1982.

Endorsement Deals

Before starting his NFL career in 1969, Simpson entered into an endorsement deal with Chevrolet worth $250,000 annually. He subsequently became associated with a variety of products and services through numerous endorsements. Among his significant endorsements were TreeSweet Orange Juice, Pioneer Chicken, and HoneyBaked Ham. His most recognized partnership, however, was with Hertz, the rental car company, where he served as the primary celebrity endorser from 1975 until 1992. His memorable commercials featured him running through airports, which became iconic. Simpson profited immensely from this endorsement; even after being replaced as the primary endorser in 1992, he continued to receive $45,000 monthly from Hertz for attending golf events. Interestingly, on the night of the Brentwood murders, O.J. flew to Chicago for a Hertz-sponsored golf tournament. Following his arrest, he was dropped by the company.

Personal Life

When he was 19, Simpson wed Marguerite Whitley, and together they had three children: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren Simpson. Sadly, Aaren drowned in the family swimming pool in August 1979.

In 1977, Simpson met Nicole Brown, a nightclub waitress. Although still married to his first wife, he began a relationship with Brown. The divorce from Whitley was finalized in March 1979, and Simpson married Nicole in February 1985, welcoming two children, Sydney and Justin, into the world. Their marriage lasted for seven years, during which Simpson pleaded no contest to spousal abuse in 1989. Ultimately, their divorce was finalized in 1992, with an attempt at reconciliation in 1993 failing.

Murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman

In 1994, Simpson faced charges for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. The two were discovered stabbed to death outside Nicole’s condo in Brentwood on June 12, 1994. Simpson quickly became a person of interest in the investigation, refusing to surrender to authorities. Five days later, on June 17th, he was pursued by police in a low-speed chase, riding as a passenger in the now-infamous white Ford Bronco, which was driven by his friend, Al Cowlings. The chase interrupted the 1994 NBA finals, capturing the attention of an estimated 95 million viewers across various TV stations.

The arrest and trial of O.J. Simpson became a highly publicized event that was one ofthe conclusion of one of the most publicized trials in American history. On October 3, 1995, after 11 months of deliberation, the jury delivered a not guilty verdict. Approximately 100 million viewers watched the live announcement of the verdict. Following this, Simpson was found liable in a civil trial, where he was ordered to compensate the Goldman and Brown families with a sum of $33.5 million in damages. At the time of his passing, he had only managed to pay around $500,000 of that amount. With the accruing interest, his debt escalated to over $40 million.

Nevada Arrest and Conviction

In 2007, O.J. Simpson faced arrest in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to his participation in an armed robbery at a hotel room. Allegedly, he and several associates confronted two dealers of sports memorabilia, asserting that the items they possessed had been stolen from him. Guns were drawn during this incident, and the group exited with the memorabilia.

Simpson encountered multiple felony charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping. On October 3, 2008, coincidentally 13 years after his earlier criminal acquittal, O.J. was found guilty on all counts: robbery, kidnapping, coercion, and conspiracy. Consequently, he was sentenced to 33 years in prison, with the option of parole after nine years. He served nine years and was released on parole in 2017.

During a hearing in 2013, O.J. claimed he warranted a new trial, asserting that he was only attempting to recover personal belongings of minimal value. He noted items such as a photo with ex-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, family vacation photos, and his college All-American certificate. He argued that these belonged to him personally and bore no value to the Goldmans or Browns, and insisted he was simply trying to retrieve them from a memorabilia dealer who had acquired them unlawfully. O.J. emphasized that he did not break into the room and did not personally brandish or use a weapon in a threatening manner. He believed he was acting entirely within legal boundaries and was unaware that anyone in his entourage might have had a firearm. According to him, the dealers even recognized that the memorabilia rightfully belonged to him and had been taken illegally.

Right after the robbery, O.J. approached the police and displayed the items he had taken to corroborate his claim of ownership. Complications arose when someone from his group reportedly stole the memorabilia dealer’s cellphone, contributing to the robbery charges. Additionally, an individual secretly recorded O.J. during the confrontation, capturing him in a visibly agitated state. On the tape, Simpson can be distinctly heard exclaiming:

“Don’t let nobody out of this room. Motherf@#ker, you think you can steal my sh@! and sell it? Think you can steal my sh@!?”

An unidentified voice can also be heard saying:

“Backs to the wall. Walk your a$$ over there. You against the motherf@#ing wall!”

Pension Money

Upon reaching the age of 55, O.J. became eligible for NFL pension benefits. It is a widely held belief that he delayed accessing these pension payments untilAt the age of 65, he became eligible for a greater monthly payment amounting to $10,565, as opposed to the earlier $4,034. If this holds true, the NFL initiated payments to him at the rate of $10,565 per month starting in 2012.

When factoring in his additional pension income, O.J. was reported to have an annual income of up to $400,000.

Due to the inability to access or utilize this money while incarcerated, around $602,000 would have accrued in his bank account. A close friend claims that O.J. also has a fully funded personal pension estimated to be between $2-5 million, depending on the investment performance. Additionally, he was said to possess a Screen Actor’s Guild pension that provided approximately $1,700 each month. As pension income is exempt from bankruptcy or legal judgments, it remains completely inaccessible to the Goldman family.