Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ed Hochuli’s Net Worth?
Ed Hochuli, a retired American lawyer and former NFL referee, has accumulated a substantial net worth throughout his multifaceted career. As of 2023, his net worth is estimated to be around $6 million. This wealth is primarily derived from his successful legal career and his tenure as a highly respected NFL official.
NFL Referee Salary and Career Earnings
During his time as an NFL referee from 1990 to 2017, Ed Hochuli earned a significant income. In his final years, his annual salary as an NFL referee was approximately $189,000. Over his 28-year career in the league, Hochuli officiated numerous high-profile games, including two Super Bowls (XXXII and XXXVIII), which contributed to his overall earnings and reputation. Although the exact total career earnings as an NFL referee are not publicly disclosed, it can be estimated that he made several million dollars from his referee career alone.
Legal Career and Firm Ownership
Beyond his football officiating career, Ed Hochuli has had a long and successful career as a trial attorney. In 1983, he co-founded the Arizona-based law firm Jones, Skelton and Hochuli, P.L.C. As a founding partner, Hochuli played a pivotal role in the firm’s growth from a small practice with five partners and seven associates to a major firm with over 80 attorneys. His specialization in civil litigation, including areas such as bad faith and extra-contractual liability, complex litigation, insurance coverage and fraud, legal malpractice, product liability defense, trucking and transportation industry defense, and wrongful death and personal injury defense, has contributed significantly to his income. While specific details of his earnings from the law firm are not publicly available, his ownership stake and years of service likely account for a considerable portion of his $6 million net worth.
Early Life and Education
Ed Hochuli was born on December 25, 1950, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When he was eight years old, his family relocated to Tucson, Arizona. He attended Canyon del Oro High School in the Tucson suburb of Oro Valley, Arizona, and graduated in 1969. During his high school years, Hochuli was a multi-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball, track, and wrestling. He then attended the University of Texas at El Paso, where he played linebacker on the school’s football team from 1969 to 1972. In 1972, he earned All-Western Athletic Conference academic honors and graduated with his bachelor’s degree with honors. Inspired by his father’s career as a wills and estates planner, Hochuli pursued further studies in law. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona Law School in 1976. While in law school, he worked as a law clerk for two years under United States District Judge Carl Muecke. Although his early life and education did not directly contribute to his current net worth, they provided the foundation for his future success in both law and football officiating.
Football Officiating Career
Ed Hochuli began his football officiating career while in law school to supplement his income. He started with Pop Warner games and later became a Little League Baseball umpire from 1970 to 1973. By 1973, he transitioned to officiating high school football games in the Tucson area until 1985. In the 1980s, he officiated college football games for the Big Sky Conference and Pacific-10 Conference as a line judge. Hochuli’s dedication and expertise led to his hiring by the NFL as a back judge in 1990. He gained experience as a back judge and referee through the NFL’s partnership with the World League of American Football. In 1992, he was promoted to referee in the NFL. Over his 28 seasons in the NFL, Hochuli officiated numerous playoff games, including Super Bowls XXXII and XXXVIII. His clear and concise explanations of rulings, combined with his athletic physique, earned him a cult following among NFL fans. Hochuli’s presence on the field was so notable that it was chronicled on the NFL Network’s “Six Days to Sunday” in 2005, and his likeness appeared in the “Madden NFL” video game franchise beginning with “Madden NFL 06.” In 2012, he was featured on the cover of “Sports Illustrated” magazine. Ed Hochuli announced his retirement from the NFL in March 2018. Although the exact financial figures from endorsements and appearances are not publicly available, they likely added to his overall net worth.
Career Milestones and Recognition
Ed Hochuli’s career is marked by numerous milestones and recognitions. He officiated Super Bowl XXXII between the Denver Broncos and the Green Bay Packers in 1998 and Super Bowl XXXVIII between the Carolina Panthers and the New England Patriots in 2004. These high-profile assignments are a testament to his skill and reputation as one of the NFL’s top officials. In addition to his Super Bowl appearances, Hochuli officiated numerous other playoff games and was highly regarded by NFL head coaches. His clear and concise explanations of rulings on the field, combined with his physical fitness, made him a recognizable and respected figure in the league. Hochuli also served as the head of the NFL Referees Association, where he played a key role in negotiating a new contract for officials prior to the 2001 NFL season. His inclusion in the “Best Lawyers of America” list since 2003 and the “Southwest Super Lawyers” list since 2007 further demonstrates his professional achievements and recognition in the legal field. The “Super Lawyers” list includes only the top five percent of lawyers in a state, based on peer evaluations and independent research. While these recognitions did not directly increase his net worth, they enhanced his professional reputation and potentially led to additional opportunities.
Personal Life
Ed Hochuli lives in the Phoenix metropolitan area with his wife, Cathie. They have six children and 10 grandchildren. One of his sons, Shawn, followed in his father’s footsteps and became an NFL official, beginning his career in 2014. While specific details of Hochuli’s personal finances are not publicly available, his long-term marriage and family life reflect stability and success beyond his professional achievements. Information about his real estate holdings, vehicles or other assets are not known.
