Former NBA star Carlos Boozer made headlines for his unexpected role in Bravo’s new dating reality show, “King’s Court,” where he stars alongside Tyson Beckford and WWE’s Titus O’Neil. However, his most surprising story comes not from the court, but from his brief encounter with pop legend Prince and an extravagant Bel-Air mansion.
From Rookie Deal to Lavish Mansion
Carlos Boozer began his professional career with a modest two-year, $1.03 million rookie contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After that, he secured a lucrative six-year deal with the Utah Jazz worth $68 million in July 2004, averaging approximately $11.3 million annually before taxes.
In September 2005, just a year after his career took off, the then-23-year-old Boozer fulfilled a common dream of new millionaires: purchasing an opulent mansion in Bel-Air for $8.5 million. The property, bought from film producer Ted Field, is an 18,000-square-foot estate that includes ten bedrooms, thirteen baths, a ballroom, wine cellar, a two-story gym, and even a solarium. Outside, there’s a rooftop tennis court, a resort-style pool complete with a grotto and water slide, and an impressive front fountain. Here’s a video tour for a better understanding:
Despite signing with the Jazz, not a Los Angeles team, and not being from the city himself, Boozer splurged on the mansion — an oddity, perhaps, but not an uncommon action for a wealthy young athlete. Almost immediately, however, he faced a logistical challenge: he had to report to training camp in Utah just weeks after the purchase and opted to rent out the mansion instead.
Unlikely Tenant: The Music Legend
Boozer listed the property for rent at $75,000 a month, but was taken aback when a particularly affluent candidate offered $95,000 monthly for a full year, totaling $1.14 million. To illustrate, in September 2005, mortgage rates hovered around 5.8%, meaning if Boozer had put 20% down, his monthly mortgage would approximate $40,000 — an incredible profit from renting.
The surprise tenant? None other than Prince. Boozer handed over the keys, likely expecting a standard rental agreement. However, Prince transformed the mansion into an extension of his vibrant persona, decorating the home primarily in shades of purple.
While working on his album “3121,” slated for release on March 21, 2006, Prince used the property as his canvas. Each winter, he had a tradition of renting homes in Los Angeles, which he dubbed “3121,” and he hosted energetic parties and performances there. Prince didn’t just rent; he rebranded the house, painting its exterior and adding his symbol and numerous photographs of himself throughout the estate.
In a 2018 interview, Boozer recounted his astonishment upon returning to Los Angeles to find the beautiful home transformed into a vibrant purple palace filled with memorabilia of the music icon. Initially trying to contact Prince, Boozer found himself unable to reach him, leading to legal action after delays in communication.
The Generous Resolution
Eventually, Boozer spoke directly to Prince, who offered no resistance but instead apologized and wired a $500,000 security deposit to cover any potential restoration costs. True to his word, when Prince vacated the property, he meticulously returned it to its original state — carpets restored, walls painted anew, and the nightclub-style setup he implemented reverted back to a gym.
Even more unexpectedly, when Prince’s “3121” album was released, Boozer discovered that the mansion was prominently featured in the album’s cover art and booklet, forever linking his real estate investment to the pop legend.
Post-Purple Legacy
Despite the initial shock, Boozer later reflected positively on his experience, describing Prince as a “great dude” and noting their occasional communication since. The home was sold a few years later for $12.4 million, though MLS records indicate it was sold in 2010 for $8.4 million, having become the property of Dr. Julian Omidi — a doctor with a notorious past who was sentenced to prison for health insurance fraud in 2023.
Meanwhile, Boozer relocated to Miami, continuing to navigate real estate ventures, while Prince moved on until his untimely death in April 2016. The story of Boozer, Prince, and the extravagant mansion is a striking intersection of sports, music, and luxury that endures in cultural memory.
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