Ex-NFL star Adrian Peterson still has massive debt but wins small court fight over his car
**Adrian Peterson Owes Over $10 Million in Unpaid Loan; Houston Judge Denies Sale of His 2007 BMW**
Former NFL star Adrian Peterson is facing mounting financial troubles, owing more than $10 million from an unpaid loan taken out in 2016. Recently, a Houston judge denied a request to sell Peterson’s 2007 BMW as part of efforts to recover the debt. This is the latest development in an ongoing legal battle over Peterson’s assets, which has also included a previously halted auction of his memorabilia.
### Background of the Debt
Peterson, once a star running back for the Minnesota Vikings, owes this substantial amount after failing to repay a loan from a Pennsylvania lending company. The $5.2 million loan was taken out in October 2016, with the expectation that Peterson would repay it from an $18 million contract option the Vikings held. However, after Peterson suffered a knee injury in September 2016, the Vikings declined to exercise the option in early 2017, resulting in a significant drop in his earnings.
Due to this, Peterson was unable to repay the loan, and the total debt has ballooned to an estimated $11 million to $13 million, including interest and attorneys’ fees.
### Recent Court Developments
Efforts to collect on the outstanding debt hit a legal snag on September 24, when a Houston judge denied a court-appointed receiver’s request to sell Peterson’s 2007 BMW to satisfy the judgment. Robert Berleth, the court-appointed receiver, had petitioned the court for permission to liquidate the vehicle.
Peterson contested the attempted sale, stating that the car was seized from his home without his consent. In a declaration filed on September 22, Peterson said, “My 2007 BMW was parked outside my home and was taken from the property by the Receiver (Berleth) in this matter, or individuals under his direction, while I was not home. I did not agree to its seizure, nor was I asked at the time whether I wanted to designate it as exempt. I was not even aware it had been taken until I returned home.”
Judge Erica Hughes sided with Peterson, denying Berleth’s motion. Although Berleth claimed the vehicle was voluntarily turned over in 2022, the law provides Peterson with protections against debt collection, including exemptions for personal property valued up to $100,000.
### Ongoing Legal Battle and Asset Disputes
This dispute over the BMW is part of a larger, ongoing cat-and-mouse game between Peterson and the court-appointed receiver, as they navigate the complexities of collecting on the loan judgment. Last year, an auction scheduled to sell Peterson’s trophies, jerseys, and clothing was suspended due to disagreements over the ownership and handling of those assets.
Court documents filed this week reveal that the issue surrounding Peterson’s memorabilia remains unresolved, and the attempt to sell the seized car was conducted under what Peterson’s attorney describes as “false pretenses.” The attorney emphasized Peterson’s right to claim the car as exempt property.
### Peterson’s Financial and Legal Troubles Continue
Adrian Peterson, 40, earned more than $100 million during his NFL career from 2007 to 2021, but financial challenges persist. In addition to the current loan dispute, Peterson has faced various other legal issues in recent years, including child support battles, a misdemeanor assault case last year, and a drunk-driving arrest in Minnesota this past April.
As the legal battles continue, the larger issue of Peterson’s multi-million-dollar debt remains unresolved, with both sides awaiting further developments in court.
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*This article will be updated as more information becomes available.*
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/09/24/adrian-peterson-debt-collection-car-minnesota-vikings/86337255007/
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