O.J. Simpson has been ordered to turn over all earnings he received for his appearance in the 2K Sports title All-Pro Football 2K8.
Acquitted of the murders of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson in 1995, Simpson was nonetheless the target of a civil suit instigated by Goldman’s family; in 1997, he was found liable for Goldman’s wrongful death and ordered to pay $33.5 million to his estate. Since then, the Goldman family has been involved in ongoing efforts to claim the judgment, which Simpson has stated he will never voluntarily pay.
Take-Two Interactive, publisher of All-Pro Football 2K8, has not released any details of its arrangement with Simpson except to say that he was compensated for his appearance. Simpson was one of over 240 retired NFL players to appear in the game, which features retired players and fictional teams due to the NFL’s exclusive licensing agreement with Electronic Arts. Controversially given Simpson’s appearance in the game, a team known as the Assassins features a hooded, knife-wielding mascot that makes stabbing motions when a touchdown is scored.
Along with being awarded any money Simpson has made or may make in the future on the game, he was also ordered to turn over copies of his contract with Take-Two, as well as related documents and other currently-undisclosed deals.
