In 1969, O.J. Simpson’s football salary was $50,000, which was barely one third of what Joe Namath was making as a rookie in 1965. However, in 1979, around the same time as the NFL’s tv revenue skyrocketed, O.J. Simpson’s was making a league-leading $800,000. The escalating salaries in the 1970s was due to inflation, which subsequently made wages and prices double. Also, many of the new sports celebrities were impacted by the media greatly. Veteran stars made more money from tv, movies, and commercial endorsements than from playing football. Along with the fact that the star players had no incentive to keep playing hard unless being well
In 1969, O.J. Simpson’s football salary was $50,000, which was barely one third of what Joe Namath was making as a rookie in 1965. However, in 1979, around the same time as the NFL’s tv revenue skyrocketed, O.J. Simpson’s was making a league-leading $800,000. The escalating salaries in the 1970s was due to inflation, which subsequently made wages and prices double. Also, many of the new sports celebrities were impacted by the media greatly. Veteran stars made more money from tv, movies, and commercial endorsements than from playing football. Along with the fact that the star players had no incentive to keep playing hard unless being well