There are always “what if” questions in the sports world. So, what if NIL was a thing during Reggie Bush’s career? Reggie Bush was a football star at USC and won the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner. The Heisman Trophy goes to the best football player in college. Normally for Wide receivers, running backs or quarterbacks.
What Happened?
In 2010, the NCAA imposed sanctions on USC after finding out some illegal behavior. Bush received improper benefits from sports agents, which included cash, travel expenses, and a rent-free home. This did not just hurt Bush, it also hurt the USC football program, which was handed a two-year postseason ban and a reduction in scholarships. Bush also had his Heisman Trophy forfeited because of what the NCAA discovered.
Reinstates of Heisman Trophy
April 2024, The Heisman Trust gave Bush back his 2005 Heisman Trophy back because of “enormous changes in college athletics,” according to People magazine. Was the new NIL era to thank? Potentially, what Bush was found guilty of doing back in his playing days at USC was at the time illegal. But if Bush was in the sport now, it would have been perfectly okay.
Even with his reinstated Heisman Trophy, Bush is still filling lawsuits against the NCAA, USC, and the Pac-12 Conference. The latest lawsuit was filed in September 2024, and is for compensation for his name, image, and likeness while playing at USC. He claims that these entities profited from his image, and he did not get any compensation from it.
Bush in the NIL Era
It is fair to say that when Bush was playing at USC, these actions were illegal. But NIL now is in effect, so no one has to go through what Bush or USC did. Bush would have been the Arch Manning of his time in terms of NIL earnings. Manning’s NIL is estimated at around $6.6 million, according to On3.com. Bush would have been pushing that with the talent and the branding he had off the field. It is without any doubt that Bush would have been one of the top names on the earnings list for NIL.
His electric highlight-reel runs, and his breakaway speed at USC was much-watch TV. His dominance on the field helped USC win two National Championships in 2003 and 2004 seasons. With that winning on the field it showed that he could help any brand win as well off the field. His media savvy was ideal for brands looking for a partnership. Playing in Los Angeles also helped. Bush appeared in commercials, magazines, and attended celebrity events before going to the NFL.
These qualities would have translated to a one-of-a-kind NIL package if he was playing football today. Arch Manning and Shedeur Sanders are making 4 to 6 million dollars in NIL. Those guys are good athletes, but nowhere near as exciting as what Reggie Bush did on the field. His game was much more elite than both of those guys. Then you add the fact that he played at USC during peak national dominance, winning two National Championships. You could estimate that Bush would probably make at least 15 million if he stayed 3 years at USC. That is nowhere near what anyone in today’s college football world is making.
Reggie Bush and NIL as a couple is sadly something we did not see, at least legally. But the NIL dominance Bush would have had is always going to be a “What if?” It’s Something we just have to sit and dream about.
Jack Erskine 