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 estimated at $3 million. During his 1992 divorce court filing, he claimed his net worth was $10.8 million. This figure represented the peak of Simpson’s net worth, and, for context, that same $10.8 million in 1992 approximates to $25 million today. Roughly half of his net worth at that time stemmed from the value of his Brentwood estate, which he purchased in 1977 for $650,000 (equivalent to about $3.5 million today). According to the divorce settlement, O.J.’s monthly income in 1992 amounted to $55,000, which is about $125,000 today after adjusting for inflation, translating to approximately $1.5 million annually. The bulk of his earnings came from an endorsement deal with Hertz. As part of the divorce agreement, O.J. committed to pay Nicole $10,000 per month in child support and made a one-time payment of $433,750 (around $1 million when adjusted for inflation). Additionally, he transferred a rental property located in San Francisco to Nicole.

In 1995, Simpson was acquitted of the murder charges concerning Ron Goldman and his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. Notably, the family of Nicole did not pursue a civil lawsuit against him to spare her children from potentially testifying against their father. However, the family of Ronald Goldman did file a civil suit, resulting in a court order for Simpson to pay them $33.5 million in damages, which would be roughly $65 million in today’s currency. This figure has accumulated over the years, nearing $100 million today due to interest. While approximately $500,000 was repaid through various asset sales and memorabilia, O.J. was later convicted for a robbery/kidnapping incident in Las Vegas in 2007.

His entire net worth was effectively depleted due to the expenses of his criminal trial. He resided in his Brentwood mansion until 1997, when he was evicted after defaulting on the mortgage. The 6,200-square-foot property was later sold at foreclosure for $4 million and was demolished in 1998. After this eviction, O.J. purchased a home in Florida, ultimately declaring bankruptcy. He chose to declare bankruptcy in Florida, which protects a primary residence from being seized in such proceedings. In the years following his acquittal, his major earnings were derived from a fully-funded NFL pension estimated to be worth as much as $5 million, supplemented by other pensions that provided about $400,000 annually. State law safeguarded this pension from any claims by the Goldman family. O.J. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76, after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Rockingham Mansion Foreclosure

Previously mentioned, in 1977, O.J. acquired a home for $650,000 located at 360 N. Rockingham in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. He was not the first celebrity to live in this residence; preceding his ownership, it was rented by the well-known couple James Taylor and Carly Simon. O.J. and Nicole got married at this location in 1985.

In July 1997, following Simpson’s failure to make $86,000 in mortgage payments, the estate was put up for foreclosure auction. The bidding commenced at $1.875 million. After a brief three-minute auction, Hawthorne Savings—the lender holding O.J.’s mortgage of $2,531,259—emerged as the winning bidder. Their final bid of $2,631,259 was exactly $100,000 more than what Simpson owed on the property, with only one other bidder taking part in the auction.

Spanning 6,200 square feet, O.J.’s former Brentwood mansion boasted amenities such as a tennis court, an Olympic-sized pool complete with waterfalls, and a spacious multi-unit guesthouse (which was famously…

was known for his flamboyant performances. Growing up in a challenging environment, O.J.’s family faced economic difficulties. Despite these hardships, he showed remarkable athletic talent from a young age, eventually excelling in football during his high school years.

In July 1998, the residence, which had been occupied by Kato Kaelin around the time of the murders, was demolished. Subsequently, a new mansion was constructed, featuring a different address to deter tourists. This new property was sold in November 2005 for a price of $13.6 million.

Following his acquittal in 1996, O.J. sought to prove his innocence by providing a comprehensive tour of the Rockingham estate. Below is the video of that tour:

In 2000, he acquired a home in Miami for $575,000. Located at 9450 SW 112th Street, this property faced foreclosure in 2012 when his daughter ceased mortgage payments. At that point, Simpson was serving time in Nevada. In 2014, the property was sold at a foreclosure auction for $513,000. The house was ultimately demolished in 2023, and by February 2024, the 1.6-acre lot was listed for $2.4 million.

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

#1: Before his arrest in the ’90s, O.J. had a pension investment account valued at approximately $2 million, as stated by a close associate. This fund had been passively managed over the decades, and the friend estimated its current worth to be between $2 and $5 million. Additionally, O.J. received a small pension from the Screen Actors Guild due to his numerous film and television roles. A positive aspect for O.J. is that pension funds are immune to legal judgments and bankruptcy, meaning that the Goldman family could not touch this money. Reportedly, Simpson’s pensions produced around $400,000 annually in income.

#2: All of Simpson’s earnings outside of his pension were directed to the Goldman family to help cover the $33.5 million civil judgment against him. A total of $500,000 of those damages were paid, mostly sourced from an auction of his personal belongings during the ’90s.

#3: Over the years, speculations arose that O.J. had hidden millions in the Cayman Islands, a belief the Goldman family held for quite some time. These suspicions intensified during O.J.’s 2008 robbery trial, where a recorded conversation revealed one of the men held at gunpoint by him and his associates 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. His upbringing took place in San Francisco, where he was raised by his mother, Eunice, who worked as a hospital administrator, and his father, Jimmy Lee Simpson, who was a chef and bank custodian. O.J.’s father was a well-known drag queen in the Bay Area, recognized for his vibrant performances.

He later revealed his sexual orientation as gay and succumbed to AIDS in 1986.

After his parents’ separation in 1952, O.J. was brought up by his mother. In his early teens, he became involved with the street gang The Persian Warriors and spent some time in a juvenile detention center. A fortuitous encounter with baseball legend Willie Mays motivated Simpson to turn his life around and avoid trouble. Following his graduation from Galileo High School, he enrolled in community college before receiving a football scholarship to attend the University of Southern California. During his junior year at USC, he was a contender for the Heisman Trophy and ultimately secured the award in his senior year.

NFL Career

In 1969, the Buffalo Bills drafted Simpson as their number-one pick. He sought what was then the largest contract in professional sports, amounting to $650,000 over five years. This demand led to a standoff with the team’s owner, Ralph Wilson. O.J. even hinted at the possibility of abandoning professional football to pursue acting. Ultimately, Wilson conceded to Simpson’s demands. His performance during the first three years was lackluster, with an average of just 622 yards per season. However, in 1972, he rushed for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his professional career. The following year, he became the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. In 1975, he won the rushing title again, accumulating 1,817 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. Sadly, his 1977 season was cut short due to an injury.

Prior to the 1978 season, Simpson 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 was a 10-yard run on a 3rd and 10 situation for a first down. Throughout his career, he participated in six Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2019, he earned a spot on the National Football League 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. Adjusted for inflation, this amount is approximately $5.5 million today. After a brief standoff, he secured that deal, which at the time was the largest contract in professional sports. Throughout his career, he remained among the highest-paid players in the league. Even during his final seasons, he held the title of the highest-paid player in the NFL. His salary in the 1978 season was $733,668. In his final NFL season, he earned $806,668, equivalent to $3.5 million in today’s currency. In 1979, the average NFL salary stood at $69,000, or about $300,000 today. Walter Payton followed as the second-highest-paid player in the league, earning $450,000 in 1979.

Nickname

O.J. earned the nickname “Juice,” which not only plays on the initials O.J. referring to orange juice but also serves as a term for electricity, suggesting a powerful presence. During the peak of his career, the Bills’ offensive line was dubbed The Electric Company.

Entertainment Career

Simpson had a thriving career as an actor, television producer, and commercial spokesman. Even prior to his NFL retirement, he began taking roles in television and film. He featured in movies such as “The Towering Inferno” (1974), “The Klansman” (1974), and “Capricorn One” (1978). Within the “Naked Gun” comedy trilogy (1988-1994), he portrayed Detective Nordberg. Notably, he also took part in various television endeavors, including the acclaimed 1977 series “Roots.” James Cameron once considered O.J. for the titular role in “The Terminator” in 1984; however, Arnold Schwarzenegger ultimately took on the role, leaving Simpson out of the project.

Beyond his acting pursuits, Simpson served as an NFL commentator, most recognized for his role on “Monday Night Football.” His tenure with ABC lasted from 1969 to 1977 and resumed again from 1983 to 1986. Between 1978 and 1982, he was employed by NBC.

Endorsement Deals

Prior to joining the NFL in 1969, Simpson entered into an endorsement agreement with Chevrolet worth $250,000 annually. Following this, he endorsed a multitude of products and services. Notable endorsements included TreeSweet Orange Juice, Pioneer Chicken, and HoneyBaked Ham. However, it was his partnership with rental car company Hertz that gained him the most fame. For nearly two decades, from 1975 to 1992, O.J. was Hertz’s leading celebrity endorser. His commercials, which featured him sprinting through airports, became iconic. Simpson earned millions through his Hertz endorsement; even after losing his primary endorser status in 1992, he was retained by the company for $45,000 per month to attend golf events. Interestingly, on the night of the Brentwood murders, O.J. flew to Chicago to participate in a Hertz golf tournament. Following his arrest, he was dropped by the company.

Personal Life

At the age of 19, Simpson tied the knot with Marguerite Whitley. Together, they had three children: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren Simpson. Sadly, Aaren drowned in the family’s swimming pool in August 1979.

In 1977, he met Nicole Brown, a nightclub waitress. Despite still being married to his first wife, they began a relationship. Simpson’s marriage to Whitley ended in divorce in March 1979. He married Nicole in February 1985, and they had two children, Sydney and Justin. Their marriage lasted seven years, during which Simpson accepted a plea deal for spousal abuse in 1989. The couple’s divorce was finalized in 1992, and they attempted reconciliation in 1993, though it was unsuccessful.

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. Their bodies were discovered outside Nicole’s Brentwood condo, both having been fatally stabbed on June 12, 1994. Although Simpson was quickly identified as a person of interest, he did not surrender to authorities. Five days later, on June 17th, he became the focal point of a low-speed police chase as a passenger in the now-famous white Ford Bronco, with his friend Al Cowlings driving. Television networks interrupted coverage of the 1994 NBA finals to air the chase live, which attracted around 95 million viewers.

O.J. Simpson’s arrest and subsequent trial marked one ofthe highly publicized trials in American history. On October 3, 1995, the jury delivered a not guilty verdict after 11 months of proceedings. An estimated 100 million viewers watched the announcement live. Subsequently, Simpson was found guilty in a civil trial, resulting in an order to pay $33.5 million in damages to the Goldman and Brown families. At the time of his passing, he had paid around $500,000 of that debt. Due to accrued interest, the owed amount escalated to over $40 million.

Nevada Arrest and Conviction

In 2007, O.J. Simpson faced arrest in Las Vegas, Nevada, due to his involvement in an armed robbery that occurred in a hotel room. Allegedly, Simpson and several associates confronted two dealers of sports memorabilia, asserting that the items they possessed had been stolen from him. The incident involved drawn guns, and the group departed with the memorabilia.

Multiple felony charges were filed against Simpson, including armed robbery and kidnapping. On October 3, 2008, exactly 13 years after his acquittal in the criminal trial, O.J. was found guilty on all counts – including robbery, kidnapping, coercion, and conspiracy. He received a 33-year prison sentence, with the possibility of parole after serving nine years. Simpson completed nine years and was released on parole in 2017.

During a hearing in 2013, Simpson testified that he felt entitled to a new trial on the grounds that he was merely attempting to recover personal items that held no real value. He cited examples such as a photograph with former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, family vacation photos, and his college All-American certificate. Simpson contended that these personal belongings were of no significance to the Goldmans or the Browns and that he was simply aiming to reclaim them from a memorabilia dealer who had obtained them unlawfully. His principal argument was that he did not break into the room and did not personally carry or brandish a weapon in a threatening manner. He claimed he believed his actions were completely legal and had no knowledge of any weapons in his group. Simpson asserted that the dealers had even admitted that the memorabilia rightfully belonged to him and claimed they obtained it illegally.

Following the incident, O.J. promptly visited the police with the items he had taken to demonstrate that they were indeed his property. Complicating matters further was the allegation that someone in his group had taken the memorabilia dealer’s cellphone, constituting robbery. Additionally, someone secretly recorded the confrontation, capturing Simpson sounding extremely agitated. The recording distinctly features him 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 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 to receive a pension from the NFL. It is widely speculated that he delayed taking his pension payments untilAt the age of 65, he became eligible for an increased monthly payment of $10,565, as opposed to the previous amount of $4,034. If this is accurate, the NFL commenced his payments of $10,565 monthly starting in 2012.

When his pension earnings were aggregated, it was reported that O.J. made up to $400,000 annually.

Due to his imprisonment, he was unable to access or utilize these funds, which led to an accumulation of roughly $602,000 in his bank account. One close friend revealed that O.J. supposedly has a personal pension that is fully funded and valued between $2 to $5 million, depending on the performance and investment of the assets. Additionally, it is said that he possesses a Screen Actor’s Guild pension that provides around $1,700 monthly. Since pension income is protected from bankruptcy and legal judgments, it remains entirely unreachable by the Goldman family.