Reggie Bush, a former college football legend, will officially regain his Heisman Trophy after a nearly decade-long absence. Bush was forced to forfeit the prestigious award in 2010 due to NCAA sanctions against his alma mater, USC. However, the NCAA’s recent rule changes allowing college players to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) inspired Bush’s successful campaign for reinstatement.
In a groundbreaking move, the Heisman Trust has reinstated Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy, which he had voluntarily forfeited in 2010 due to NCAA sanctions. The decision marks the culmination of a lengthy battle for Bush, who has consistently maintained his innocence in the NCAA’s accusations of impermissible benefits. The Heisman Trust cited significant changes in college athletics, particularly the advent of NIL (name, image, and likeness) compensation, as a factor in its decision to reinstate Bush’s award.
Reggie Bush has been reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, 14 years after he surrendered the award due to NCAA sanctions against USC. The Heisman Trust, citing changes in college athletics, particularly the introduction of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), prompted the reversal. Bush has advocated for the return of his trophy, and in August 2023 filed a lawsuit against the NCAA. Bush rushed for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2005, leading USC to an undefeated season until their loss in the BCS Championship Game.
The Heisman Trophy Trust has reinstated Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy, marking a significant moment in college football history. The decision, announced on Wednesday, comes after a lengthy investigation into allegations of impermissible benefits received by Bush while he was a student-athlete at USC. Bush, a 2023 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, had his trophy stripped in 2010 after the NCAA determined he had violated its rules. The Heisman Trophy Trust’s decision to reinstate the award reflects the changing landscape of college athletics, including the legalization of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation for student-athletes. Bush’s reinstatement upholds the spirit of the Heisman Trophy, which recognizes the most outstanding college football player of the year.
Former USC running back Reggie Bush will be receiving his Heisman Trophy back after forfeiting it in 2010 due to NCAA sanctions. The decision comes as college athletes are now permitted to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), a significant shift in college athletics. Bush expressed his gratitude for the honor and his commitment to upholding the values of the Heisman Trust. Other Heisman winners, such as Johnny Manziel, had previously advocated for Bush’s reinstatement, and the news suggests the possibility of Bush attending the 2025 festivities.
Basketball prodigy Caitlin Clark is reportedly set to sign an eight-year, $28 million endorsement deal with Nike, which would mark the largest shoe contract in women’s basketball history. This news follows Clark’s record-breaking collegiate career at Iowa and her recent selection as the top pick in the WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. The deal includes a signature shoe line and is expected to elevate Clark’s star power even further, making her one of the most marketable female athletes in the world.
Cooper Flagg, the undisputed top 2024 college basketball recruit in the country, has signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for NIL representation. Flagg, who is committed to Duke, is the 2023-24 Naismith High School Player of the Year and the Gatorade National Player of the Year. CAA represents NBA clients such as Zion Williamson, Paul George and Devin Booker, and has worked in the NIL space since the concept became established.
In the modern era of college athletics, transferring schools has become commonplace. This trend has not gone unnoticed by NFL talent evaluators, who now view transfers with a more open mind. Over one-third of the prospects invited to this year’s NFL Scouting Combine have transferred at least once, including top prospects such as USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. According to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, transfers are no longer seen as a negative, with evaluators instead focusing on a player’s talent and character. The relaxation of transfer rules, combined with the ability for athletes to earn money through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, has given players more options and flexibility. While transferring is not without its challenges, it can provide athletes with opportunities to improve their skills, increase their exposure, and potentially increase their draft stock.
Caitlin Clark, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft, is reportedly set to sign an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike. This would be the richest sponsorship deal ever for a women’s basketball player and includes the release of a signature shoe line. Clark’s initial NIL deal with Nike, signed in 2022, expired at the end of the 2023-24 season. Nike’s decision to sign Clark to this long-term contract highlights the company’s commitment to women’s basketball and its belief in Clark’s potential to continue driving interest in the sport.
The NCAA Division I Board has approved new guidelines that allow all multi-time transfers to be immediately eligible to play. The new rules, which go into effect immediately, eliminate the previous requirement for second-time transfers to sit out a year in residence. Athletes must still meet academic eligibility and progress-toward-degree requirements to be eligible. The decision comes after pressure from lawsuits and calls for reform in the NCAA’s transfer rules. The Board also passed new rules allowing universities to help athletes find NIL contracts, with athletes required to disclose deals over $600 to their schools.
