OJ Simpson Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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

O.J. Simpson, an American football player, sports commentator, and actor, had a net worth estimated at $3 million. During his 1992 divorce proceedings, he claimed his net worth to be $10.8 million. This amount would ultimately mark the pinnacle of his net worth, and it’s worth noting that $10.8 million in 1992 would equate to $25 million in today’s terms. Approximately half of his 1992 net worth stemmed from his Brentwood estate, which he purchased in 1977 for $650,000 (around $3.5 million today). According to the divorce settlement, O.J.’s monthly income in 1992 was $55,000, equivalent to $125,000 per month when adjusted for inflation, or about $1.5 million annually today. A significant portion of this income originated from his Hertz endorsement contract. To resolve the divorce, O.J. agreed to provide Nicole with $10,000 per month in child support along with a one-time sum of $433,750 (which is about $1 million today when adjusted for inflation). He also transferred ownership of a rental property located in San Francisco to Nicole.

In 1995, as is widely known, Simpson was acquitted of the murders of Ron Goldman and his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. He was not sued in civil court by Nicole’s family to protect their children from having to testify against their father. However, O.J. was sued in civil court by Ronald Goldman’s family, leading to a judgment requiring him to pay $33.5 million in damages — roughly $65 million in current dollars. Over the years, with accrued interest, that amount has ballooned to just under $100 million. Approximately $500,000 has been paid off through the sale of various assets and memorabilia. Additionally, O.J. Simpson became a convicted criminal due to a robbery/kidnapping incident in Las Vegas in 2007.

The entirety of Simpson’s net worth was depleted by 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 subsequently sold in foreclosure for $4 million and demolished in 1998. Following his eviction, O.J. relocated to Florida and subsequently filed for bankruptcy, which is vital since he did so in a state where primary residences are protected from bankruptcy claims. In the years following his acquittal, O.J.’s main source of income was a fully-funded NFL pension, reportedly valued at up to $5 million, along with other pensions that provided about $400,000 annually. State law shielded this pension income from being claimed by the Goldman family. O.J. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76 after a battle with cancer.

Rockingham Mansion Foreclosure

As previously mentioned, in 1977, O.J. acquired a home for $650,000 at 360 N. Rockingham in the Brentwood area of LA. He was not the first celebrity to reside there; prior to his ownership, the home was leased by famous couple James Taylor and Carly Simon. O.J. and Nicole tied the knot at the residence in 1985.

In July 1997, after failing to make $86,000 in mortgage payments, Simpson’s estate was put up for foreclosure auction. Bidding commenced at $1.875 million, and after a brisk three-minute auction, Hawthorne Savings — the lender holding O.J.’s $2,531,259 mortgage — emerged as the winner with a bid of $2,631,259, exactly $100,000 more than Simpson’s outstanding balance on the property. Only one other bidder participated in the auction.

O.J.’s former Brentwood mansion encompassed 6,200 square feet and boasted a tennis court, an Olympic-sized pool complete with waterfalls, and a spacious multi-unit guesthouse (which was famously…occupied the home at the time of the murders, according to reports. In July 1998, the original house was demolished, replaced by a new mansion with a different address to deter tourists. This new property was sold for $13.6 million in November 2005.

To demonstrate his innocence, O.J. offered an extensive tour of the Rockingham estate in 1996, after he was acquitted. You can view the video here:

In 2000, he purchased a home in Miami for $575,000, located at 9450 SW 112th Street. This property went into foreclosure in 2012 when his daughter ceased mortgage payments. At that time, Simpson was serving a prison sentence in Nevada. The property was auctioned off in 2014 during a foreclosure for $513,000. In 2023, the house was demolished, and by February 2024, the 1.6-acre lot was put on the market for $2.4 million.

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

#1: A close associate of O.J. revealed that prior to his arrest in the ’90s, he possessed a pension investment account valued at approximately $2 million. This account has been managed passively over the years, and the friend estimates the current net asset value to be between $2 and $5 million. Additionally, he received a modest pension from the Screen Actor’s Guild due to his appearances in film and television. Thankfully for O.J., pension funds are completely shielded from legal judgments and bankruptcy, meaning that none of his funds could be accessed by the Goldman family. Reportedly, his various pensions generated around $400,000 annually for Simpson.

#2: Every dollar Simpson earned beyond his pension was directed towards the Goldman family to help satisfy the $33.5 million civil judgment levied against him. A total of $500,000 in damages was paid, largely from an auction of his personal belongings in the 90s.

#3: There were rumors suggesting that O.J. was hiding millions of dollars in offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands. The Goldman family believed in these allegations for years. Furthermore, during the 2008 robbery trial that resulted in O.J.’s imprisonment, a man who was held at gunpoint by Simpson and his accomplices was recorded 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

Orenthal James Simpson, known as O.J. Simpson, entered the world on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California. Raised by a hospital administrator mother, Eunice, and father, Jimmy Lee Simpson, who worked as a chef and bank custodian, he spent his formative years in the city. Notably, O.J.’s father was a well-known drag queen in the San Francisco Bay area who…

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

His mother raised him after his parents’ separation in 1952. During his early teenage years, O.J. became part of the street gang known as The Persian Warriors and spent some time in a juvenile detention center. A fortuitous meeting with baseball icon Willie Mays inspired Simpson to turn his life around. Following his graduation from Galileo High School, he pursued higher education at community college before earning a football scholarship to the University of Southern California. At USC, he was nominated for the Heisman Trophy during his junior year and ultimately won it as a senior.

NFL Career

Simpson was chosen as the number-one draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 1969. He requested what was then the largest contract in professional sports history, amounting to $650,000 over five years. This created tension and a standoff with Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson, leading O.J. to threaten to forgo a career in pro football to pursue acting instead. Eventually, Wilson conceded to Simpson’s demands. His initial three years were challenging, averaging only 622 yards per season. However, in 1972, he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his professional career. In 1973, he became the first player in NFL history to rush for over two thousand yards in a single season, and in 1975, he claimed the rushing title again with 1,817 yards and 16 touchdowns. Unfortunately, an injury cut his 1977 season short.

Prior to the 1978 season, Simpson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, where he spent two seasons. His last NFL game took place on December 16, 1979, resulting in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. O.J.’s final play featured a 10-yard run on 3rd and 10, earning a first down. He was selected for six Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2019, he earned a spot on the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

NFL Earnings

When drafted by the Bills in 1969, O.J. insisted on a five-year contract totaling $650,000. Adjusted for inflation, this is approximately $5.5 million today. After a brief negotiation, he received this contract, which at that time was the largest in professional sports. Throughout his career, he consistently ranked among the highest-paid players in the league. Even during his final seasons, he maintained the title of the highest-paid player in the NFL. In the 1978 season, his salary, leading the league, stood at $733,668. In the following season, which was his last in the NFL, O.J. earned $806,668, equivalent to about $3.5 million today. In comparison, the average NFL salary in 1979 was $69,000, roughly $300,000 today, while Walter Payton was the second-highest-paid player with a salary of $450,000 that year.

Nickname

Juice became Simpson’s nickname, derived from O.J., which is a common abbreviation for orange juice. Furthermore, Juice serves as a synonym for electricity, symbolizing power. During O.J.’s peak career period, the offensive line of the Bills earned the nickname The Electric Company.

Entertainment Career

Alongside his achievements as an NFL player, Simpson found success as an actor, television producer, and commercial spokesperson. Even prior to his retirement from professional football, he was making appearances in films and television shows. His film credits include titles such as “The Towering Inferno” (1974), “The Klansman” (1974), and “Capricorn One” (1978). Notably, he starred as Detective Nordberg in the “Naked Gun” comedy trilogy (1988-1994). He also participated in numerous television projects, with a standout role in the 1977 miniseries “Roots.” In 1984, director James Cameron considered him for the lead role in “The Terminator,” although Arnold Schwarzenegger was eventually cast, leaving Simpson out of the film.

Beyond acting, Simpson served as a commentator for the NFL, most notably on “Monday Night Football.” He worked with ABC from 1969 until 1977 and then again from 1983 to 1986. Additionally, he was affiliated with NBC from 1978 to 1982.

Endorsement Deals

Before joining the NFL in 1969, Simpson entered into an endorsement agreement with Chevrolet, earning $250,000 annually. Following this, he became known for endorsing a variety of products and services. Some of his most recognized partnerships included those with TreeSweet Orange Juice, Pioneer Chicken, and HoneyBaked Ham. However, his most notable endorsement was with Hertz, the rental car company, where he served as their primary celebrity endorser from 1975 to 1992. His commercials featured him running through airports and became iconic. Simpson earned millions from this endeavor, and even after losing his status as the main endorser in 1992, he received $45,000 monthly from Hertz for attending various golf events. Remarkably, on the night of the Brentwood murders, O.J. boarded a flight to Chicago for a Hertz golf tournament, but he was dropped by the company following his arrest.

Personal Life

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

In 1977, Simpson crossed paths with nightclub waitress Nicole Brown while still married to Whitley, leading to a romantic relationship. He and Whitley finalized their divorce in March 1979. Subsequently, Simpson wed Nicole in February 1985, having two children together, Sydney and Justin, before their marriage ended after seven years. In 1989, he pleaded no contest to a charge of spousal abuse, and the couple divorced in 1992. They briefly attempted to reconcile in 1993 but were unsuccessful.

Murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman

In 1994, O.J. Simpson faced charges for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman, who were discovered stabbed to death outside of Nicole’s Brentwood condominium on June 12, 1994. Immediately, Simpson became a person of interest but failed to turn himself in. Five days later, on June 17th, police pursued him in a slow-speed chase while he was a passenger in the infamous white Ford Bronco driven by his friend Al Cowlings. The chase was broadcast live, interrupting the 1994 NBA finals, and reached an audience of approximately 95 million viewers.

The arrest and subsequent trial of O.J. Simpson marked one ofone of the most widely reported trials in the history of America. Eleven months later, on October 3, 1995, a verdict of not guilty was issued by the jury. Around 100 million viewers watched the live announcement of the verdict. Following this, Simpson faced conviction in a civil trial that resulted in a $33.5 million damage award to the families of Goldman and Brown. By the time of his passing, he had managed to pay only about $500,000 of that amount. When factoring in interest, his total debt ballooned to over $40 million.

Nevada Arrest and Conviction

In 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada, O.J. Simpson faced arrest due to his participation in an armed robbery at a hotel room. Allegedly, he and a group of associates confronted two sports memorabilia dealers, asserting that the items they held had been stolen from him. The situation escalated with guns being drawn, and ultimately, the group left with the memorabilia.

Multiple felony charges were brought against Simpson, including armed robbery and kidnapping. On October 3, 2008, exactly 13 years after his acquittal in a criminal trial, he was found guilty on several counts – robbery, kidnapping, coercion, and conspiracy. He received a sentence of 33 years in prison, with an option for parole after nine years. Simpson spent nine years incarcerated before being released on parole in 2017.

During a hearing in 2013, O.J. stated that he merited a new trial, contending that his intentions were simply to reclaim a few personal items he described as having no real value. He mentioned personal effects such as a photo with former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, vacation family pictures, and his college All-American certificate. His argument was that these items were specific to his family and held no value for the Goldmans or Browns, claiming he was merely trying to retrieve them from a memorabilia dealer who had obtained them illicitly. O.J. primarily contended that he did not invade the room and personally did not possess or brandish a weapon in a threatening manner. He asserted that he believed he was acting entirely legally and was completely unaware that anyone in his group had a firearm, further claiming that the dealers acknowledged his ownership of the memorabilia and that they had acquired it unlawfully.

Following the incident, O.J. promptly went to the police, displaying the items he had taken as proof of his rightful ownership. Complicating matters was an allegation that someone in his group took the memorabilia dealer’s cellphone, which constituted robbery. Additionally, an unauthorized recording capturing him during the confrontation emerged, where he appeared visibly angry. On the tape, Simpson can be distinctly heard saying:

“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@!?”

Also on the recording is an unidentified individual’s voice 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 a pension from the NFL. It is widely believed that he intentionally delayed receiving his pension payments until afterAt 65 years old, he was eligible for a higher monthly payment of $10,565, rather than the $4,034 previously received. If this is accurate, the NFL commenced payments of $10,565 monthly for him starting in 2012.

When his pension income is considered, O.J. was said to have earned up to $400,000 annually.

Due to his incarceration, he was unable to access or utilize these funds, allowing roughly $602,000 to accumulate in his bank account. A close friend mentioned that O.J. likely possesses a fully funded personal pension valued between $2 million and $5 million, contingent on asset investment performance. Additionally, he was reported to have a Screen Actor’s Guild pension providing approximately $1,700 each month. It’s important to note that pension income is untouchable by bankruptcy or legal judgments, rendering it completely inaccessible to the Goldman family.