OJ Simpson Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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

O.J. Simpson, known for his career as an American football player, sports commentator, and actor, had a net worth of $3 million. During a court filing linked to his divorce in 1992, O.J. pegged his net worth at $10.8 million. This amount would ultimately turn out to be Simpson’s peak net worth, and interestingly, $10.8 million in 1992 is equivalent to $25 million in today’s terms. Roughly half of his net worth in 1992 was attributed to the value of his Brentwood estate, which he purchased in 1977 for $650,000 (approximately $3.5 million today). The divorce settlement revealed that O.J.’s monthly income in 1992 was $55,000, which adjusts to around $125,000 today or approximately $1.5 million annually. A significant portion of that income derived from his endorsement deal with Hertz. As part of the divorce agreement, O.J. committed to paying Nicole $10,000 monthly in child support, along with a one-time payment of $433,750 (equal to about $1 million today). Additionally, he transferred to Nicole a rental property located in San Francisco.

In 1995, as you may know, Simpson was acquitted of the murders of Ron Goldman and his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. To safeguard her children from being compelled to testify against their father, Nicole’s family did not file a civil suit against O.J. However, the family of Ronald Goldman, his other purported victim, did pursue him in civil court. Simpson was mandated to pay the Goldman family $33.5 million in damages, translating to roughly $65 million in current values. Over the years, this amount has accrued interest, resulting in just under $100 million today. Approximately $500,000 was settled through the liquidation of various assets and memorabilia. In 2007, O.J. Simpson was convicted as a result of a robbery/kidnapping incident in Las Vegas.

O.J.’s criminal trial effectively depleted his entire net worth. Until 1997, he continued to reside in his Brentwood mansion, but was evicted after defaulting on his mortgage. The 6,200-square-foot property was later purchased in foreclosure for $4 million and was demolished in 1998. Following his eviction, O.J. acquired a residence in Florida and subsequently declared bankruptcy. Notably, his bankruptcy declaration occurred after relocating to Florida, a state that prohibits the seizure of a primary home in bankruptcy proceedings. Additionally, in the years after his acquittal, O.J.’s main source of income was a fully funded NFL pension valued at approximately $5 million, coupled with other pensions that generated around $400,000 annually. This pension income was protected from claims by the Goldman family under state law. O.J. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at 76, following a battle with cancer.

Rockingham Mansion Foreclosure

As mentioned before, O.J. acquired the property at 360 N. Rockingham in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood for $650,000 in 1977. Prior to his ownership, the home was leased by the well-known couple James Taylor and Carly Simon. It was at this residence that O.J. and Nicole celebrated their marriage in 1985.

In July 1997, due to Simpson’s failure to meet $86,000 in mortgage payments, the estate was put up for foreclosure auction. Bidding commenced at $1.875 million. After a brief three-minute public auction, Hawthorne Savings won the bid, the financial institution that held O.J.’s mortgage of $2,531,259. The bank’s winning bid amounted to $2,631,259, precisely $100,000 more than what Simpson owed on the property. Only a single additional bidder participated in the auction.

The former Brentwood mansion of O.J. encompassed 6,200 square feet and included features like a tennis court, an Olympic-sized pool with waterfalls, and a sizable multi-unit guesthouse (which was famously…occupied the home at the time of the murders (Kato Kaelin). The house was demolished in July 1998, and a new mansion was constructed at a different address to deter tourists. The newly built home was sold for $13.6 million in November 2005.

In 1996, following his acquittal, O.J. showcased the Rockingham estate in a comprehensive tour to demonstrate his innocence. You can view the video tour here:

In the year 2000, he purchased a home in Miami for $575,000, located at 9450 SW 112th Street. After his daughter failed to continue mortgage payments, the property was foreclosed in 2012 while Simpson was serving time in Nevada. The house went to a foreclosure auction in 2014 for $513,000. In 2023, this property was demolished, and by February 2024, the 1.6-acre lot was listed for sale at $2.4 million.

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

#1: A close associate revealed that before his arrest in the 90s, O.J. maintained a pension investment account valued at about $2 million. Managed passively over the decades, his friend estimates the pension fund’s current worth to be between $2 and $5 million. O.J. also earned a small pension from the Screen Actor’s Guild due to his appearances in films and TV shows. Luckily for him, pension funds are entirely shielded from legal judgments and bankruptcy, meaning the Goldman family could never claim this money. Reportedly, these various pensions generated an annual income of approximately $400,000 for Simpson.

#2: All income Simpson earned beyond his pension funds was directed to the Goldman family to help satisfy the $33.5 million civil judgment against him. In total, $500,000 of these damages were paid, notably from an auction of his personal items during the 90s.

#3: There was a belief held by some that O.J. had millions hidden abroad, particularly in the Cayman Islands, a notion the Goldman family clung to for years. This speculation intensified when, during the 2008 robbery trial leading to O.J.’s imprisonment, one of the men taken hostage by him and his associates was captured on a secret recording saying:

“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 on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California, O.J. Simpson was named Orenthal James Simpson. He was raised by Eunice, a hospital administrator, and Jimmy Lee Simpson, who worked as a chef and bank custodian. His father was a well-known drag queen in the San Francisco Bay area who…

He later revealed that he was gay and succumbed to AIDS in 1986.

O.J.’s parents divorced in 1952, and subsequently, he was raised by his mother. During his early teenage years, he became a member of the street gang known as The Persian Warriors and had a brief stint in a juvenile detention center. A fateful encounter with baseball legend Willie Mays motivated Simpson to turn his life around and avoid trouble. After finishing at Galileo High School, he went on to a community college before receiving a football scholarship to the University of Southern California. While at USC, he was a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy during his junior year and won the prestigious award in his senior year.

NFL Career

In 1969, the Buffalo Bills selected Simpson as their number-one draft pick. He sought what was then the largest contract in professional sports, demanding $650,000 for five years. This demand created a standoff with the Bills’ owner, Ralph Wilson. O.J. even threatened to abandon his football career in favor of pursuing acting. Ultimately, Wilson accepted Simpson’s conditions. His initial three seasons were challenging, with an average of just 622 yards per year. However, in 1972, O.J. rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his professional career. The following year, he made history as the first NFL player to rush for over two thousand yards in a single season and reclaimed the rushing title in 1975 with 1,817 yards and 16 touchdowns. Unfortunately, his 1977 season was cut short due to injury.

Before the start of the 1978 season, Simpson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he played for two more seasons. His final NFL game occurred on December 16, 1979, resulting in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. O.J.’s last play was a 10-yard run on 3rd and 10 to secure a first down. Throughout his career, he participated in six Pro Bowls, and in 1985, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2019, he earned a spot on the National Football League’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

NFL Earnings

Upon being drafted by the Bills in 1969, O.J. requested a contract worth $650,000 for five years. This amount equals approximately $5.5 million today, after inflation adjustments. After a brief negotiation standoff, he ultimately secured the deal, which was the largest contract in the history of professional sports at that time. He consistently ranked among the league’s highest-paid players for the duration of his career. Even during his final seasons, O.J. maintained the position of the highest-paid player in the NFL. For the 1978 season, his salary topped the league at $733,668. In his last NFL season, the following year, O.J. earned $806,668, equivalent to about $3.5 million today. In 1979, the average NFL salary stood at $69,000, or $300,000 when adjusted for today’s standards. In comparison, Walter Payton held the position of the league’s second-highest-paid player with a salary of $450,000 that same year.

Nickname

The nickname “Juice” was derived from O.J., which is a common shorthand for orange juice. Additionally, “Juice” serves as a synonym for electricity, symbolizing a strong and dynamic force. During O.J.’s prime career years, the offensive line of the Bills was dubbed The Electric Company.

Entertainment Career

Simpson enjoyed success as an actor, television producer, and commercial spokesman. Even prior to his NFL retirement, he was already taking on roles in movies and TV. His film appearances included “The Towering Inferno” (1974), “The Klansman” (1974), and “Capricorn One” (1978). In the “Naked Gun” comedy trilogy (1988-1994), Simpson played Detective Nordberg. Notably, he also participated in various television projects, including the acclaimed 1977 series “Roots.” Although James Cameron considered O.J. for the lead role in “The Terminator” (1984), the part ultimately went to Arnold Schwarzenegger, leaving Simpson out of the film.

Beyond acting, Simpson served as an NFL commentator, particularly recognized for his work on “Monday Night Football.” He was with ABC from 1969 to 1977 and returned again between 1983 and 1986. During the period from 1978 to 1982, he worked with NBC.

Endorsement Deals

Before entering the NFL in 1969, Simpson secured an endorsement deal with Chevrolet that paid out $250,000 annually. He subsequently endorsed a wide array of products and services, with notable endorsements including TreeSweet Orange Juice, Pioneer Chicken, and HoneyBaked Ham. However, his most prominent partnership was with Hertz, the rental car company, where he served as the primary celebrity endorser from 1975 to 1992. His commercials featured him dashing through airports and became iconic. Over the course of this endorsement, Simpson made millions, and even after losing the primary endorsement role in 1992, he kept earning $45,000 a month from Hertz to participate in golf events. Interestingly, on the night of the Brentwood murders, O.J. boarded a plane to Chicago to take part in a Hertz golf tournament but was later dropped by the company following his arrest.

Personal Life

At the age of 19, Simpson tied the knot with Marguerite Whitley, and the couple welcomed three children: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren Simpson. Tragically, Aaren drowned in the family swimming pool in August 1979.

In 1977, Simpson encountered nightclub waitress Nicole Brown. Although he was still married, they began a romantic relationship. Simpson and his first wife, Whitley, divorced in March 1979. O.J. married Nicole in February 1985, welcoming two children, Sydney and Justin. Their marriage lasted seven years, during which Simpson pleaded no contest to spousal abuse in 1989. Their divorce was finalized in 1992, and although they attempted to reconcile in 1993, their efforts were unsuccessful.

Murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman

In 1994, charges were brought against Simpson for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman. Their bodies were discovered stabbed to death outside Nicole’s Brentwood condominium on June 12, 1994. Simpson quickly became a person of interest but did not surrender to authorities. Five days later, on June 17th, he was involved in a slow-speed pursuit by police while riding as a passenger in the infamous white Ford Bronco, driven by his friend Al Cowlings. The chase was broadcast live, interrupting the 1994 NBA finals, drawing approximately 95 million viewers.

The arrest and trial of O.J. Simpson became one of…the highly publicized trials in American history occurred. Following 11 months, on October 3, 1995, the jury delivered a not guilty verdict. Approximately 100 million viewers watched the live announcement of the verdict. Subsequently, Simpson was found guilty in a civil trial and was mandated to pay $33.5 million in damages to the families of Goldman and Brown. At the time of his passing, he had paid about $500,000 of that total. With accrued interest, his debt increased to over $40 million.

Nevada Arrest and Conviction

In 2007, O.J. Simpson found himself arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to his participation in an armed robbery at a hotel. Allegedly, Simpson and a group of associates confronted two dealers of sports memorabilia, asserting that the items they had were stolen from him. Guns were drawn during the confrontation, and the group departed with the memorabilia.

Simpson faced multiple felony charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping. On October 3, 2008, exactly 13 years after his acquittal, he was convicted on all counts – robbery, kidnapping, coercion, and conspiracy. Simpson received a sentence of 33 years in prison, with the option of parole after nine years. He served nine years before being paroled in 2017.

During a hearing in 2013, O.J. testified that he warranted a new trial, arguing he was simply attempting to reclaim personal belongings that held no real value. Items such as a photograph of himself with former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, family vacation photos, and his college All-American certificate were cited. He contended these personal items had no worth to the Goldmans or the Browns, and that he was only trying to recover them from a memorabilia dealer who acquired them unlawfully. O.J. insisted he did not break into the hotel room and claimed he did not carry or use a weapon in a threatening manner. Believing his actions were completely legal, he maintained he was unaware that anyone in his group had a firearm. He also asserted that the dealers recognized the memorabilia as belonging to him and had acquired it illegitimately.

Directly after the incident, O.J. approached the police and presented the items he took as proof of ownership. The issue arose partly because someone from his group reportedly stole the memorabilia dealer’s cellphone, constituting robbery. Furthermore, another complication stemmed from someone secretly recording him during the altercation, capturing him sounding notably angry. In the recording, Simpson is heard clearly stating:

“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 unnamed individual could 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 to receive NFL pension benefits. It is commonly believed that he delayed receiving these pension payments untilAt the age of 65, he became eligible for a higher monthly payment of $10,565, significantly more than the previous $4,034. If this information is accurate, the NFL commenced payments of $10,565 per month starting in 2012.

With his additional pension income, it’s reported that O.J. earned up to $400,000 annually.

While he was incarcerated and unable to access or utilize these funds, it is estimated that around $602,000 accumulated in his bank account. A close friend mentioned that O.J. is believed to possess a fully funded personal pension valued between $2 to $5 million, contingent upon the performance and investment of the assets. Furthermore, he allegedly has a Screen Actor’s Guild pension providing approximately $1,700 monthly. Since pension income is protected from bankruptcy or legal rulings, it remains entirely inaccessible to the Goldman family.