OJ Simpson, the former football star turned infamous household name, has lived an incredible life; from his time on the field to the controversial murder trial, Simpson has lived a life of extremes.
Because of his wealth, career earnings and controversial past, he has found himself a perennial target of media scrutiny. This article features facts about OJ Simpson’s net worth, career earnings, real estate, and other information regarding his wealth.

Table of Contents
What was O.J. Simpson’s net worth, salary, and career earnings?
O.J. Simpson’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million, making him one of the richest athletes during his prime. French fries: In the 1970s, NFL stars were not as wealthy as they are today, making Simpson’s salary even more impressive. His income stemmed from:
- NFL contracts and salaries: Simpson earned the most of his paychecks while playing for the Buffalo Bills (1969–1977), signing several lucrative contracts and, in the early 1970s, a $650,000, five-year deal that made him among the highest-paid players of his era. His final years were spent with the San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979), which bolstered his salary numbers.
- Lucrative endorsement deals: Ending with lucrative endorsement deals with the likes of Hertz Rental Cars, which, at its most profitable, was rumored to bring Simpson millions each year. Simpson’s commercials were among the most recognizable advertisements aired on television, and they accounted for a large portion of his earnings. He endorsed Bridgestone Tires, RC Cola, and others. Graphic. The highest-earning athlete of his time.
- Acting roles in Hollywood films and television: One of Simpson’s most-famous roles was in the The Naked Gun film series, in which he starred as detective Nordberg. Despite their importance to his public image, the success of these films in the late 1980s and early 1990s also paid dividends: the films added substantially to his earnings. He also starred in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots (1977), which helped to further highlight his crossover appeal from sports to show business.
- Business ventures: Simpson was involved in several business ventures and investments, including restaurants and nightclubs. He was a co-owner of a chain of Honey Baked Ham stores in the 1990s that found modest success. But many of his ventures were in poor financial shape, particularly as his legal troubles heaped comparisons onto such businesses.
Foreclosure on Rockingham Mansion
OJ Simpson’s grand Rockingham mansion in Los Angeles was seized by foreclosure for unpaid debts in 1997. The one-time $4 million residence was a reflection of Simpson’s lavish lifestyle. Simpson had to sell it though, after his legal problems, and that was the beginning of his financial woes. The foreclosure was one of the earliest signals that Simpson’s fortunes were, at best, less secure than they appeared to be.

Category | Details |
Full Name | Orenthal James Simpson |
Nickname | The Juice |
Date of Birth | July 9, 1947 |
Place of Birth | San Francisco, California, USA |
Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Weight | 212 lbs (96 kg) |
College | University of Southern California (USC) |
NFL Draft | 1969, Round 1, Pick 1 |
NFL Teams | Buffalo Bills (1969–1977) |
San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979) | |
NFL Career Highlights | 5x Pro Bowl Selection |
1973 NFL MVP | |
First to Rush 2,000 Yards in a Season | |
Pro Football Hall of Fame (1985) | |
Net Worth (Peak) | $10–15 Million |
Net Worth (Later Years) | ~$3 Million |
Major Endorsements | Hertz Rental Cars, RC Cola, Bridgestone |
Notable Acting Roles | The Naked Gun (1988, 1991, 1994) |
Roots (1977) | |
Business Ventures | Honey Baked Ham stores |
Legal Issues | Acquitted of Murder (1995) |
Civil Trial Liability ($33.5M judgment) | |
Nevada Robbery Conviction (2008) | |
Prison Sentence | 33 Years (Served 9 Years, 2008–2017) |
NFL Pension | ~$600,000 Annually |
Famous Properties | Rockingham Mansion (Foreclosed, 1997) |
Florida Home |
3 Things To Know About O.J. Simpson’s Net Worth
- NFL Pension: Despite his financial troubles over the years, one major asset that Simpson is able to enjoy is his NFL pension, which averages around $600,000 a year and has been vital to his income since retirement. This repartition is off-limits to creditors, giving Simpson some financial peace.
- Continuing Legal Expenses: Simpson has spent millions on legal fees in subsequent years. His trial in 1995, infamous for his acquittal in the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, and his 2008 conviction in Nevada for armed robbery have kept him with a demand for legal talent and bills.
- Business Ventures: Simpson once had endorsement deals with major brands, including Nike and Bridgestone Tires, but many ended after his criminal trials and damaged income opportunities.
Early Life
Orenthal James Simpson was born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California. Simpson had troubled youth, growing up in a rough part of Los Angeles. But he discovered an out, quickly became a superstar in football, and started at the University of Southern California (USC).
NFL Career
OJ Simpson was an NFL player from 1969 to 1979, most of that time for the Buffalo Bills and part of it for the San Francisco 49ers. He was one of the top running backs in the game, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and leading the N.F.L. in rushing yards several seasons. Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.

NFL Earnings
OJ Simpson earned roughly $22 million over his NFL career. At a time when NFL paychecks weren’t as substantial as they are today, OJ Simpson’s earnings were significant. He earned most of his income from playing contract with the Buffalo Bills, one of the biggest contracts for an NFL player at the time.
Nickname: The Juice
Simpson’s nickname, The Juice, was one most people learned while he was a professional football player. It reflected the explosive speed and power he brought to the field. A nickname that stuck in his acting life and at times controversial day-to-day life, cementing his place with the popular culture.
Entertainment Career
After his football career, Which OJ Simpson went transitioning to acting. He appeared in many films and TV shows, most notably the Naked Gun series. He also carved out a career as a sports commentator and became a pitchman for a range of products.
Endorsement Deals
Like many other brands, OJ Simpson was the face of several big name brands, including Nike, Bridgestone Tires and Hertz Rental Cars. A large portion of his wealth contained these endorsement deals. But many of the deals collapsed following his arrest and later legal woes, which damaged his earnings.

Personal Life
OJ Simpson was previously married twice. His first wife, Marguerite Whitley, whom he had three children with, divorced him in 1979. It was in 1994 that the stabbing death of his second wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, would come to define his life for decades to come. Public Interest: Simpson’s life is interesting because it has drawn so much attention from the publicmost famously because of his connection to the 1994 killings and his conviction in the 2008 case
O. J. Simpson: Murder of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman
In 1994, OJ Simpson was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman in an act of extreme violence. Simpson faced the charges after one of the most publicized trials in memory, and he was acquitted in 1995. The trial captivated the nation, but most still believe Simpson killed the victims. A civil trial resulted in a $33.5 million judgment against Simpson for the wrongful deaths of Nicole and Ronald.
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Nevada Arrest and Conviction
In 2007, Simpson found himself at a Las Vegas hotel at the request of some memorabilia dealer. In 2008, he was found guilty of armed robbery and kidnapping and spent 9 years incarcerated. He was paroled in 2017. The conviction also proved bad for his finances; he was confronted with large legal fees and penalties.
Pension Money
Regardless of those financial woes, Simpson remains eligible for an NFL pension, which he has received significant fees from since he retired his cleats. His pension is off limits to creditors, assuring him an annual monthly income. The retirement being this roughly $600,000 per year.
Real Estate
OJ Simpson owned a home called the Rockingham Mansion in Los Angeles, but that home foreclosed. Apart from his houses, Simpson had also invested in other real estate, but he had lost much of his wealth to legal and financial problems.
FAQs
1. What is OJ Simpson’s NFL pension worth?
OJ Simpson collects NFL pension funds of approximately $600,000 annually to maintain financial stability.
2. Was O.J. Simpson’s mansion taken from him?
Yes, OJ Simpson’s Rockingham Mansion was in foreclosure back in 1997 as a result of unpaid debts, which was a significant financial blow.
3. OJ Simpson NFL earnings?
OJ Simpson earned approximately $22 million in the NFL.