OJ Simpson Net Worth (Money & Salary)

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

O.J. Simpson possessed a net worth of $3 million. As per a court document during his 1992 divorce, Simpson approximated his net worth at $10.8 million. Notably, around half of this sum was attributed to the value of his Brentwood estate, purchased in 1977 for $650,000 (approximately $3.5 million today). Following his divorce settlement, O.J.’s monthly income stood at $55,000 in 1992, equivalent to $125,000 per month today or roughly $1.5 million annually. His significant income stemmed from his Hertz endorsement contract. Eventually, O.J. agreed to pay Nicole $10,000 monthly in child support alongside a one-time payment of $433,750 ($1 million today after adjusting for inflation). Additionally, he transferred a rental property in San Francisco to Nicole.

Upon being acquitted of the murder charges in 1995, Simpson avoided a civil suit from Nicole’s family to protect his children from testifying against him. However, he faced a civil lawsuit from Ronald Goldman’s family, resulting in a $33.5 million damages order, approximately $65 million in today’s value. With accumulated interest, the total sum now nears $100 million. Despite selling personal assets and memorabilia to cover roughly $500,000, the verdict led to severe financial strain. O.J. was declared bankrupt post-eviction from his Brentwood property in 1997, sold in foreclosure for $4 million and subsequently demolished in 1998. Following this event, Simpson relocated to Florida and filed for bankruptcy, leveraging Florida’s laws to protect his primary residence, immune to seizure due to bankruptcy laws. His main income source post-acquittal was a fully-funded NFL pension, estimated at $5 million and generating around $400,000 yearly when combined with other pensions. State statutes shielded this pension from being accessed by the Goldman family. O.J. Simpson passed away on April 10, 2024, at the age of 76, after battling cancer.

Foreclosure of Rockingham Mansion

In 1977, O.J. acquired a residence at 360 N. Rockingham, Brentwood, for $650,000. Evidently, Simpson was not the first notable occupant, as this estate was previously rented by James Taylor and Carly Simon before his purchase. O.J. and Nicole exchanged vows at this residence in 1985.

Insufficient mortgage payments in July 1997 led to the property’s foreclosure auction, commencing at $1.875 million. Following a brisk three-minute auction, Hawthorne Savings, Simpson’s lender with a $2,531,259 mortgage, secured the estate for $2,631,259, precisely $100,000 exceeding Simpson’s debt. Only one other bidder partook in the auction.

The former Brentwood mansion spanned 6,200 sq ft, boasting amenities like a tennis court, Olympic-sized pool with waterfalls, and a sizeable multi-unit guesthouse, famously inhabited by Kato Kaelin during the murders. Eventually, the home was demolished in July 1998, replaced by a new mansion with updated address details to deter tourists. This new property traded in November 2005 for $13.6 million.

To affirm his innocence post-acquittal, O.J. conducted an exhaustive Rockingham estate tour in 1996. The video tour is accessible here:

In 2000, Simpson procured a Miami residence for $575,000. However, this property faced foreclosure in 2012 due to his daughter’s mortgage payment lapses, coinciding with O.J.’s detention in Nevada. Eventually, the estate sold at a 2014 auction for $513,000, with subsequent land listing in February 2024 at $2.4 million.

O.J. Simpson’s Net Worth: Additional Insights

#1: Simpson allegedly possessed a pension investment account valued at $2 million before his ’90s arrest, managed passively and now estimated between $2 to $5 million. He also accrued a minor Screen Actor’s Guild pension from film and TV roles. Importantly, pension funds are shielded from legal claims and bankruptcy, ensuring immunity from the Goldman family’s pursuit. His pensions reputedly yielded $400,000 annually.

#2: All non-pension earnings were directed to settle the $33.5 million due to the Goldman family, with $500,000 paid off, primarily sourced from personal artifact auctions.

#3: Rumors speculated O.J. had millions stashed in the Cayman Islands, a belief held by the Goldman family. Amidst the 2008 robbery trial, wherein Simpson landed in prison, a recorded conversation implicated Simpson and partners in offshore account dealings:

“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 Orenthal James Simpson on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, to Eunice and Jimmy Lee Simpson, an administrator and chef/bank custodian, respectively. Following their 1952 split, O.J. was primarily raised by his mother. In his youth, he briefly affiliated with the street gang The Persian Warriors and faced juvenile detention. A fortuitous meeting with baseball icon Willie Mays influenced his path.

Simpson took steps towards cleaning up his life and staying out of trouble. Graduating from Galileo High School, he then pursued a college education by attending community college before earning a football scholarship to the University of Southern California. At USC, he stood as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy in his junior year, ultimately securing the accolade in his senior year.

NFL Career

Being drafted as the number-one pick by the Buffalo Bills in 1969 brought challenges as Simpson demanded the largest contract in pro sports history at the time, amounting to $650,000 for five years, causing tension with the Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson. To prove his worth, he struggled in his initial three years with an average of only 622 yards per season. However, in 1972, Simpson rushed over 1,000 yards for the first time in his professional career, followed by an exceptional 1973 season where he became the first NFL player to surpass two thousand rushing yards in a single season. Adding to his achievements, in 1975, he clinched the rushing title again by rushing 1,817 yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. A setback occurred in 1977 when his season was abbreviated due to an injury.

Prior to the 1978 season, Simpson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, marking a new chapter in his NFL journey. His final game in the league transpired on December 16, 1979, resulting in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons where his last play, a 10-yard run on 3rd and 10 for a first down, marked a poignant moment. Garnering recognition for his athletic prowess, he participated in six Pro Bowls and attained induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. Furthermore, in 2019, Simpson’s contribution to the sport was honored as he was named to the National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

NFL Earnings

Upon his draft by the Bills in 1969, Simpson adamantly lobbied for a 5-year contract worth $650,000, which translates to approximately $5.5 million in present value after adjusting for inflation. Despite initial pushback, he eventually secured the deal, solidifying his position as one of the highest-paid players in the league throughout his career. Even in his waning years, he retained the title of the highest-paid player in the NFL. For instance, during the 1978 season, he commanded a league-leading salary of $733,668. In his final NFL season, 1979, Simpson earned $806,668, equivalent to $3.5 million in today’s economic landscape. Comparatively, the average NFL salary in 1979 was $69,000, approximately $300,000 in today’s monetary terms. Notably, Walter Payton emerged as the league’s second-highest-paid player in 1979 with a salary of $450,000.

Nickname

Coining the moniker Juice, Simpson cleverly played on O.J., the typical abbreviation for orange juice. Beyond its fruity connotations, “Juice” also signifies power, aptly representing Simpson’s dominating presence in the sports arena. During a peak phase of his career, the Bills’ offensive line earned the moniker “The Electric Company” in alignment with Simpson’s electrifying performances.

Entertainment Career

In parallel to his athletic endeavors, Simpson made a mark in the entertainment industry as a flourishing actor, television producer, and commercial face. Even before bidding adieu to the NFL, he dipped his toes into TV and film domains. Threading through notable films like “The Towering Inferno” (1974), “The Klansman” (1974), and “Capricorn One” (1978), Simpson showcased his acting prowess. A standout role emerged in the “Naked Gun” comedy trilogy (1988-1994) where he embodied Detective Nordberg. Television appearances, notably in the acclaimed 1977 mini-series “Roots,” further diversified Simpson’s entertainment portfolio. Interestingly, he was James Cameron’s initial choice for the lead in “The Terminator” (1984), a role that eventually went to Arnold Schwarzenegger as Simpson’s involvement in the project did not materialize.

Augmenting his acting endeavors, Simpson delved into the role of an NFL commentator, notably gracing “Monday Night Football” with his insights. His stint spanned across ABC from 1969 to 1977 and then again from 1983 to 1986, followed by a brief tenure with NBC from 1978 to 1982.

Endorsement Deals

Stepping into the realm of endorsements early on, Simpson inked a lucrative deal with Chevrolet pre-NFL, fetching a handsome $250,000 annually. He proceeded to lend his image to an array of products and services, with standouts including TreeSweet Orange Juice, Pioneer Chicken, and HoneyBaked Ham. However, a defining deal that underscored his marketing clout was with Hertz, the renowned rental car company. Serving as Hertz’s primary celebrity endorser from 1975 to 1992, Simpson’s commercials featured him sprinting through airports, etching an indelible mark in advertising history. Even post his primary endorser reign, which concluded in 1992, Simpson continued to rake in $45,000 monthly from Hertz for attending golf events. On the poignant night of the Brentwood murders, Simpson jetted off to Chicago to participate in a Hertz golf tournament. Regrettably, following his arrest, Simpson faced termination from the company.

Personal Life

Embracing personal milestones, Simpson tied the knot with Marguerite Whitley at 19, shaping a family with three offspring: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren Simpson. Tragedy struck in August 1979 when Aaren met a devasting fate by drowning in the family’s swimming pool.

Casting a new chapter in his personal narrative, Simpson encountered nightclub waitress Nicole Brown in 1977, sparking a romantic liaison amidst an ongoing marriage with his first wife. Eventually, Simpson parted ways with Whitley in March 1979 to embark on a new marital journey with Nicole in February 1985. Together, they welcomed two children, Sydney and Justin, as their union endured for seven years marked by trials, including Simpson’s no contest plea to spousal abuse in 1989. By 1992, their marriage came to a formal close despite reconciliation efforts in 1993 that yielded no sustainable resolution.

Murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman

The tumultuous turn of events struck in 1994 when Simpson faced allegations of the murder of ex-wife Nicole Brown and her acquaintance Ronald Goldman. Discovered stabbed to death outside Nicole’s Brentwood residence on June 12, 1994, Simpson emerged as a primary person of interest. Despite evading immediate surrender, a dramatic low-speed chase ensued on June 17th with Simpson riding as a passenger in the infamous white Ford Bronco driven by his associate Al Cowlings. The unfolding saga captivated the nation as TV networks interrupted regular broadcasts, captivating an estimated 95 million viewers.

The subsequent arrest and trial marked a pivotal chapter in American legal annals as Simpson’s trial proceedings garnered global attention. Astonishingly, after an 11-month trial, on October 3, 1995, the jury pronounced Simpson not guilty, with a staggering 100 million viewers tuning in live for the verdict. Subsequent to the criminal trial, a civil verdict found Simpson liable, ordering him to pay $33.5 million in damages to the Goldman and Brown families. At the time of his passing, Simpson had settled approximately $500,000 of the sum, with accruing interest escalating his total dues to over $40 million.