If a judge grants brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez an early release from prison, chances are the convicted killers could make millions — but don’t expect any “Dancing With the Stars” invites, like socialite con artist Anna Delvey received.
Media mavens The Post spoke with said they foresee the brothers — who’ve been imprisoned for more than three decades for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty — fielding multi-million dollar deals once they’re free, for everything from their first post-incarceration interview to tell-all books and streaming service documentaries.
“The Menendez murders are on the Mount Rushmore of high-profile murders in American history — right up there with the JFK assassination, the Manson and Mansfield killings, and Robert Durst,” said Doug Eldridge, an agent, celeb branding and marketing expert. “The Menendez story would play very well.”
One expert even suggests they could cash in on OnlyFans, the infamous social media subscription service.
“British tabloids would pay thousands for the first interview with the brothers out of prison,” offered Mitchell Jackson, the founder of PR firm BCC Communications. “Fan girls would pay for Cameos. If the brothers are really shameless, their biggest cash grab would come on OnlyFans. Never underestimate what gay men and single women will pay for. OnlyFans is where they would make millions, not documentaries.”
With society shifting away from cancel culture over the last four years, Jackson said there’s an opening for the brothers’ to tell their story.
“Old Hollywood, like Disney-owned companies, will fear the brothers, but the richer, more profitable streamers understand what sells,” he added. “Traditional Hollywood cares more about their reputations at cocktail parties than ratings. That’s why big tech eats Hollywood’s lunch.”
Both Lyle and Eric Menendez, now in their 50s, will be resentenced at the recommendation of progressive Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón. A judge could decide to release them on parole in the next few weeks.
“If the Menendez brothers in fact rejoin society and remain a part of it, I’d imagine book deals, TV deals, documentaries, and movies will be offered their way,” said PR and brand marketing specialist Matt Yanofsky. “I’d imagine that brand deals may also be something that come their way as in today’s public world, it seems very little is off-limits. When a spotlight is lit, money follows — it doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done.”
A renewed push to free the brothers followed the recent releases of a documentary and a dramatized series, both on Netflix.
It is believed the Menendez brothers lost most of the $14.5 million they’d inherited paying lawyers fees and court costs. At the time of the murders, their parents’ mansion had an $864,000 mortgage that had to be paid, and was $600,000 in arrears.
Unlike New York, California does not prohibit convicts from financially benefiting from their crimes.
“As the Menendez brothers draw closer to potential release, their story has the power to create a financial windfall that could redefine ‘media comeback,’” explained Rob Shuter, who hosts the Naughty But Nice podcast. “Alone, each brother would capitalize heavily on the intrigue and momentum surrounding their case, but together, they’re poised for a media blitz with a multi-million-dollar ceiling.”
Shuter further noted the brothers already have the backing of Kim Kardashian — “a powerful endorsement in the Hollywood sphere that could fast-track their media reach.”
“Expect a wave of branded products, from clothing lines to wig collections,” Shuter added. “Watch, by this time next year expect to see them attending the Met Gala.”
Their notoriety could present lucrative money-making opportunities.
“In Donald Trump’s America, they’re more A-list than Jennifer Lawrence in terms of marketability,” Jackson, the PR head, said. “They’re a phenomenon right now. They should grab every cash grab they can. The reality is they have few economic prospects outside of the fame economy, and people will lose interest. In America, a criminal can’t work at Costco as a cashier, but they can be a celebrity.”
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