O.J. Simpson Net Worth, Salary, Endorsements, and Financial Overview (2024)

Curious about O.J. Simpson’s net worth and how his finances have evolved over the years? At NFL Player Fortune, we break down his career earnings, endorsements, and net worth in 2024, offering a comprehensive look at one of the most talked-about NFL figures in history.

O.J. Simpson Quick Facts

What is the Net Worth of O.J. Simpson in 2024?

O.J. Simpson’s net worth in 2024 is estimated at $3 million. This amount primarily comprises pension income and remaining assets after multiple legal battles. Due to legal fees and asset forfeitures, his net worth is significantly lower than other NFL legends of his era.

Let’s see how Simpson compares to some NFL players of similar age:

• Roger Staubach: $600 million (thanks to real estate investments)
• Terry Bradshaw: $45 million (includes broadcasting career)
• Fran Tarkenton: $300 million (post-career business ventures)
• Joe Namath: $25 million (endorsements and investments)

While Simpson was once a top earner, his financial situation today shows the long-term impact of legal issues and lost endorsements.

What is O.J. Simpson’s salary/income in 2024?

By 2024, O.J. Simpson’s primary income source is his NFL pension, estimated to pay around $400,000 annually. This pension was protected under state law, allowing him to maintain a stable income despite various legal battles. Additionally, Simpson earned a Screen Actors Guild pension worth about $1,700 per month due to his acting career, which included roles in iconic films like The Naked Gun trilogy.

His NFL pension, reportedly valued between $2-5 million, remains untouchable by creditors, including the Goldman family, despite their pursuit of $96 million in damages. His current financial state appears modest compared to the lucrative endorsements he enjoyed in his career peak, including Hertz, where he earned $250,000 annually from 1975 to 1992.

Simpson’s real estate dealings also impacted his income. His Brentwood estate, once valued at millions, was foreclosed in 1997 and sold for $4 million, while his Miami property was foreclosed in 2012 and sold for $513,000. These real estate losses and ongoing legal judgments significantly reduced his overall net worth and annual income streams.

Career Earnings Overview

O.J. Simpson’s earnings as an NFL player reflect his immense talent on the field and the significant financial evolution of professional sports contracts over time. Throughout his career, Simpson enjoyed one of the most important contracts in NFL history, earning substantial yearly salaries that placed him among the highest-paid athletes during his playing days.

Yearly Salaries and Evolution

Simpson’s career took off in 1969 when he was drafted first overall by the Buffalo Bills. His rookie contract was groundbreaking for its time—he signed a 5-year contract worth $650,000, the largest contract in pro sports. Adjusted for inflation, this contract would be worth around $5.5 million today. His annual salary during those five years averaged around $130,000 yearly, a massive figure compared to his peers.

By the time Simpson joined the San Francisco 49ers in 1978, his salary had continued to grow in line with his status as a league superstar. During his final playing season in 1979, he earned $806,668, equivalent to $3.5 million today. At the time, this salary made him the highest-paid player in the NFL.

Notable Contracts:

• Buffalo Bills (1969): Simpson’s 5-year, $650,000 contract was significant for its duration and groundbreaking total value. It was a signal of his star potential right from the start.
• San Francisco 49ers (1978): His move to the 49ers earned him $806,668 in his final season. The 49ers paid him a league-leading salary, reflecting his enduring value despite nearing the end of his career.

Bonuses and Guarantees

Simpson’s contracts from the 1970s predated many of the complex bonus structures seen in modern NFL deals, but his contracts were fully guaranteed. His Buffalo Bills contract provided complete financial security, with no performance-related risks attached to his salary.

Endorsements and Off-field Income

Besides his NFL salary, Simpson earned significant off-field income through endorsements. His partnership with Hertz was incredibly lucrative, paying him $250,000 annually throughout the 1970s and into the early 1990s. Other major endorsement deals included Chevrolet and TreeSweet Orange Juice. These sponsorships further increased his net worth, adding millions to his earnings.

Inflation-Adjusted Earnings

Considering the value of his earnings in today’s market, Simpson’s total NFL earnings, adjusted for inflation, would easily exceed $25 million. His early contracts, particularly his Buffalo Bills deal, were groundbreaking in their time and remain significant when adjusted for today’s dollar values.

Career Milestones and Financial Impact

Simpson’s on-field achievements also contributed to his financial success. His 1973 NFL MVP award, Pro Bowl selections, and status as the first player to rush over 2,000 yards in a single season undoubtedly elevated his earning potential. These milestones helped him secure endorsements and contracts aligned with his legacy as one of the most iconic players in NFL history.

Overview of O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson remains one of the most well-known figures in American football history. He was an NFL legend, setting records and earning accolades that still stand as benchmarks today. However, his legacy is equally shaped by his post-football life, involving legal controversies and significant financial shifts. Below is a comprehensive look at his life, both on and off the field.

Early Life

He was born on July 9, 1947, in San Francisco, California, and had a challenging childhood. Raised primarily by his mother after his parents separated, Simpson grew up in the Potrero Hill neighborhood, a low-income area of San Francisco. His father, Jimmy Lee Simpson, was a popular figure in the San Francisco Bay Area, later announcing that he was gay. He died from AIDS-related complications in 1986. His mother, Eunice Simpson, worked as an administrator and played a significant role in his upbringing.

Simpson was afflicted by rickets as a child, which led to him wearing braces on his legs until he was five years old. Despite these early physical setbacks, he developed a passion for sports during adolescence. His turning point came when he encountered baseball star Willie Mays, whose words inspired Simpson to leave behind his troubled early years, including time spent in a street gang. This change led him to pursue sports more seriously, eventually earning him a football scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC).

Club Career

He began his professional football career in 1969 when the Buffalo Bills selected him as the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Simpson demanded an unprecedented $650,000 contract over five years, the highest in sports then. The pressure was high, but after a few initial slow seasons, his talent as a running back shone through.

• Buffalo Bills (1969–1977): Simpson became the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season in 1973, an accomplishment that earned him the NFL MVP Award. Throughout his time with the Bills, he was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, led the league in rushing yards four times, and was one of his era’s most feared running backs.
• San Francisco 49ers (1978–1979): Toward the end of his career, he was traded to his hometown team, the San Francisco 49ers. Although injuries hampered his performance, Simpson made significant contributions during his final two seasons before retiring from the NFL in 1979.

International Career

While he did not have a traditional international football career, Simpson’s name and brand extended beyond the field. Through endorsement deals and his work in entertainment, he became a household name internationally.

His long-running endorsement deal with Hertz and appearances in movies like The Naked Gun trilogy made him an internationally recognized figure.

Style of Play

Simpson’s style of play was defined by his incredible speed and ability to break tackles. His combination of strength, agility, and field vision made him one of the most dangerous players in the NFL. Known for his powerful, straight-line running, he excelled in exploiting gaps in defensive lines and turning short runs into game-changing plays. This ability earned him the nickname “Juice,” referring to his initials (O.J. for orange juice) and the electricity he brought to the field.

• Strengths: His explosive acceleration allowed him to consistently outrun defenders, while his durability helped him carry a heavy workload during games.
• Contributions to Success: As the focal point of the Buffalo Bills’ offense during the 1970s, he was a key reason the team became competitive, even in years when the team lacked overall talent.

Personal Life

Simpson’s personal life was highly publicized, especially following his football career. He was married twice, first to Marguerite Whitley, with whom he had three children: Arnelle, Jason, and Aaren (who tragically drowned at the age of two). His second marriage to Nicole Brown produced two children: Sydney and Justin. The marriage to Nicole ended in divorce in 1992, two years before her tragic murder, a case in which Simpson was famously tried and acquitted.

Beyond family life, he enjoyed a successful acting career, appearing in numerous films and television shows during and after his NFL career. Simpson’s hobbies included golf and other sports, which remained a part of his life even as his public image became dominated by legal issues.

Real Estate

Throughout his life, Simpson made notable real estate investments, with properties in Brentwood and Miami being among the most famous. He purchased the Brentwood Estate in 1977 for $650,000, a property later at the center of the infamous criminal trial. This estate was foreclosed and sold for $4 million in 1997. After moving to Florida, he bought a home in Miami for $575,000 in 2000. This property, too, faced foreclosure in 2012 and was sold at auction for $513,000. These properties reflected the dramatic changes in his financial standing over the years.

Honors

• NFL MVP (1973)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame (1985)
• College Football Hall of Fame (1983)
• NFL Rushing Title: Four-time winner
• Pro Bowl Selections: Five times
• Heisman Trophy Winner (1968)

These honors cemented his place as one of the greatest football players ever.

Career Statistics

Simpson’s NFL career was marked by impressive stats that defined his legacy as one of the greatest running backs ever to play the game:

• Rushing Yards: 11,236 yards
• Touchdowns: 61 rushing touchdowns
• Receiving Yards: 2,142 yards
• Games Played: 135
• Pro Bowl Appearances: 5
• Single-season Rushing Record: 2,003 yards (1973)

Contracts and Earnings

Simpson’s financial journey began with the $650,000 contract he signed with the Buffalo Bills in 1969, the highest in professional sports. His salary grew with his achievements, and by 1979, he was earning $806,668 annually, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL during his final season.

He also earned millions from endorsements, mainly through his long-running contract with Hertz, which paid him $250,000 annually at its peak. Even after the murder trial, he continued to earn $45,000 per month from Hertz to attend corporate events.

When adjusted for inflation, Simpson’s Simpson’s earnings are estimated to be over $25 million. However, significant legal battles and settlements reduced his net worth to an estimated $3 million by his death in 2024.

Team History

• Buffalo Bills: (1969–1977)Simp Simpson’s most successful years were with the Bills, where he set numerous records and became a household name.
• San Francisco 49ers: (1978–1979) After being traded in 1978, he finished his career with the 49ers, his hometown team. Although injuries marked his final seasons, he remained respected in the NFL.

FAQs About O.J. Simpson

What is O.J. Simpson doing today?

He served nine years in a Nevada prison and was paroled in 2017. In recent years, Simpson lived quietly in Las Vegas, where he played golf and sometimes posed for selfies with those still enamored with his celebrity. He died Wednesday from prostate cancer.

Did O.J. Simpson win MVP?

O.J. would eventually become the second-leading rusher in National Football League History. He was also named the American Football Conference Most Valuable Player three times (1972, ’73, and ’75) and the NFL Most Valuable Player once (1975). Simpson finished his illustrious career with the San Francisco 49ers in 1978.

Was O.J. Simpson removed from the Hall of Fame?

The former Bills running back was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985, and he was never removed from the Hall despite facing severe legal issues after his induction. Simpson’s bust is still in Canton, Ohio, because the Hall of Fame won’t remove any player under any circumstance.

Was O.J. married to a Kardashian?

Simpson married Kris Jenner in 1978. The couple had four children together: Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Robert Kardashian Jr. Robert and O. J.’s relationship dates back to the 1970s. After marrying Robert, Kris became the best friend of Simpson’s late ex-wife Brown Simpson.

What was OJ Simpson accused of?

Simpson was tried and acquitted for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, who was stabbed to death outside Brown’s condominium in Los Angeles on June 12, 1994. The trial spanned eight months, from January 24 to October 3, 1995.

Did O.J. win a Super Bowl?

All of his exploits as a player were individual awards and records. He never made it to the Super Bowl during the 11 years he performed at the highest level. For some reason, there was a false piece of information that Simpson played the Super Bowl while still active.

What happened to O.J.?

Death. Simpson’s family announced his death on April 11, 2024, one day after he died from cancer. “On April 10, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer,” the family wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “His children and grandchildren surrounded him.

Is Robert Kardashian friends with O.J. Simpson?

Robert George Kardashian (February 22, 1944 – September 30, 2003) was an American attorney and businessman. He gained recognition as O. J. Simpson’s friend and defense attorney during Simpson’s 1995 murder trial.

What is O.J. Simpson famous for?

Simpson was a former NFL football player and convicted armed robber and kidnapper known for being acquitted of the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. Before his high-profile legal entanglements, Simpson was a college football superstar at USC and won the Heisman Trophy in 1968.

Conclusion

O.J. Simpson’s Financial journey reflects both his professional success and personal challenges. Want to explore more financial profiles of NFL stars? Visit nflplayerfortune.com and read the latest.