Orenthal James Simpson is making news once again. He is set to be released on parole this October after a 2007 armed robbery conviction in Nevada.
Even worse than the nine-year bid he just made is the fact that he is still thought to be the killer of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, even though he was found not guilty of her murder in 1995.
Those trials put an end to the story of a famous athlete who later became successful as a smart businessman.
In the 1990s, OJ Simpson was a household name, dominating headlines for the infamous murder trial following the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. But before the court case that captivated the nation, Simpson had a very different public image He was a NFL superstar, actor, and entrepreneur with diverse business interests. This leads some to wonder – does OJ Simpson own HoneyBaked Ham?
The answer delves into Simpson’s history as a businessman and investor before his fall from grace While the HoneyBaked Ham Company has definitively confirmed he no longer has any stake, he did previously hold a minor share connected to franchise locations.
OJ Simpson’s Business Interests Before the Trial
Long before the 1994 murders and 1995 criminal trial, OJ Simpson was building a career off the football field. After retirement from the NFL in 1979, he dove into acting, sports broadcasting, advertising, and other business ventures under his company O.J. Simpson Enterprises.
Some of his pre-trial investments and roles included:
- Spokesperson for Hertz rental cars
- Actor in films like the Naked Gun comedy series
- Broadcaster covering NFL games on NBC and Monday Night Football
- Owner of O.J. Simpson’s Roasters restaurants and OJ’s Juice bars
- Investor in food chains like HoneyBaked Ham and Pioneer Chicken
Simpson had cultivated a solid portfolio of income sources and was reportedly earning over $550,000 a month at his peak. But his business empire crumbled once he was charged with double homicide.
Did OJ Simpson Own HoneyBaked Ham?
Yes, for a period Simpson held a minor indirect interest in some HoneyBaked Ham franchise locations. But any ties were severed by early 1996, over a year before the civil trial.
In a 1997 statement, HoneyBaked Ham representative Richard Gore said:
“Any indirect interest Simpson had in a Honey Baked Ham franchise was terminated more than one year ago, in January of 1996. Simpson no longer receives any compensation of any kind as a result of any indirect interest he once had in a Honey Baked Ham franchise.”
So while Simpson no longer owns HoneyBaked Ham, he did previously profit from select franchises under his company. The details of exactly how much stake he held are unclear.
Why Did People Think He Still Owned It?
In early 1997 amidst the ongoing civil trial, some news outlets inaccurately reported Simpson still held a $1.25 million interest in HoneyBaked Ham. This stemmed from confusion around the plaintiffs’ claim that Simpson failed to disclose profits from the 1996 sale of his share.
HoneyBaked Ham issued a statement clarifying Simpson definitively no longer had any ownership or financial tie to the company. But sporadic online reports persist claiming Simpson is still involved.
In reality, his rights were relinquished as sponsors dropped him en masse following the murders. He maintained his innocence, but the court of public opinion had turned decisively against Simpson. Corporate partners like Hertz, HoneyBaked Ham, and NBC wanted no part of the tarnished O.J. empire.
What Happened to O.J. Simpson’s Business Interests?
With income sources evaporating left and right and mounting legal fees, Simpson’s once-thriving business portfolio was dismantled:
- Hertz terminated his 20-year sponsorship in 1992 following abuse allegations.
- NBC cut ties in 1994 after the murders. No more football broadcasting gigs.
- HoneyBaked Ham, Pioneer Chicken, and other food brands severed all connections.
- O.J. Simpson’s Roasters closed its remaining locations by 1995 amidst turmoil.
A combination of reputation damage, legal costs, and civil liability bankrupted Simpson. Besides a comfortable NFL pension, his days as a business mogul were done.
Does He Profit From Anything Today?
Simpson’s income sources dried up decades ago. Even future earnings are limited – he cannot collect on pensions over $50,000 due to outstanding civil judgments. Any profits from creative works must go to the Goldman family.
In 2017, Simpson was released from prison on robbery charges. Tabloid rumors suggest he might receive money from things like autographs or interviews. But in reality, he lives off an NFL pension and lives a low-key life in Las Vegas playing golf.
While Simpson may sign a few autographs, he does not actively profit from any major business ventures. His days as an entrepreneur with a sprawling corporate portfolio are just a memory now. The only business left for O.J. Simpson is his own fight for an obscure private life.
Simpson Had Diverse Business Ventures
Simpson was the spokesman for several large corporations. In addition to his famous Hertz rental car commercials, he worked with ABC, Wilson Sporting Goods, and other major companies. People Magazine referred to him as, “the first black athlete to become a bona fide lovable media superstar.” The charismatic athlete was highly sought after by corporations apparently looking to diversify their customer base with a person of color that was widely accepted by white America—which was Simpson, in a nutshell.
In an article from July 10, 1994, The Washington Post talked about Simpson’s other jobs besides being a pitchman and sometimes an actor:
[Simpson] has served on boards, including Infinity Broadcasting Corp. , which he joined in April of 1992. He became friendly and well-known at Hertz, which many people say helped him get his job as a sportscaster at NBC-TV.
Simpson is president and chief executive of O. J. Simpson Enterprises, which owns hotels, restaurants and real estate. Holdings include such franchises as Honey Baked Ham and Pioneer Chicken stores. His assets were worth $10 million when he and Nicole got divorced in 1992, and he made well over $1 million a year.
How Is OJ Simpson Linked to Honey Baked Ham?
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