The following text is from a news article published by the Associated Press in New York: The Heisman Trust announced on Wednesday that Reggie Bush has been reinstated as the recipient of the 2005 Heisman Trophy, over a decade after Southern California returned the trophy. This decision comes after an NCAA investigation revealed that Bush had received advantages not allowed during his tenure with the Trojans.

Reggie Bush Is Reinstated As 2005 Heisman Trophy Winner, With Organizers Citing NIL Rule Changes

“We are delighted to announce Reggie Bush’s return to the Heisman family, acknowledging his outstanding achievements during his college years,” stated Michael Comerford, the president of The Heisman Trophy Trust. After carefully evaluating the significant transformations in college athletics in recent years, we have concluded that the present moment is appropriate for the reinstatement of the Trophy for Reggie.” We are delighted to have him return.

Bush received the prestigious college football trophy for being the highest-performing athlete. In 2005, he accumulated over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 18 touchdowns. He received 784 first-place votes, the seventh-highest number of votes in the Heisman Trophy’s history.

The Heisman Trust has restored the trophy to Bush and the duplicate to USC. Bush will get invitations to all forthcoming Heisman Trophy presentations.

“I am personally delighted to be reunited with my fellow Heisman winners and to contribute to the prestigious history of the Heisman Trophy. I feel privileged to be welcomed back into the Heisman family,” Bush stated in a statement to ESPN. “I am eager to collaborate with the Heisman Trust in order to promote the principles and objectives of the organization.”

Reggie Bush Is Reinstated As 2005 Heisman Trophy Winner, With Organizers Citing NIL Rule Changes

In a social media post, the USC football program stated, “returning to its rightful place.” With the reinstatement of Bush, USC now has eight Heisman winners, the highest number among all schools.

The Trust stated that their decision was made after carefully evaluating the developments occurring in the collegiate athletics industry. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling raised doubts about the legality of the NCAA’s amateurism model and allowed for athlete compensation, including payment for their name, image, and likeness. Additionally, the NCAA has proposed eliminating the limit on education-related payments.

The Trust stated that, given the widespread acceptance and permanence of compensating student-athletes and the significant changes in college athletics, returning the Trophy to Bush is appropriate. They emphasized that Bush was undoubtedly the most exceptional college football player in 2005.

Johnny Manziel, the recipient of the 2012 Heisman award from Texas A&M University, expressed on social media last month that he would refuse to participate in the Heisman ceremonies unless Reggie Bush’s revoked award was returned to him.

Reggie Bush Is Reinstated As 2005 Heisman Trophy Winner, With Organizers Citing NIL Rule Changes

On Wednesday, he thanked the Trust for their commendable decision to reintegrate a distinguished individual from our past into their organization. Numerous voices advocated for Reggie throughout this process due to his exemplary character. I eagerly anticipate sharing the stage with you, Reggie Bush, in December. You truly deserve this opportunity.

Notable individuals who commended the decision included Caleb Williams, the 2022 recipient of the award and the expected top selection in the next NFL draft, Eric Crouch, the winner in 2001 from Nebraska, and Robert Griffin III, the 2011 recipient from Baylor.

SOURCE – (AP)

DENVER — LeBron James was upset after the Los Angeles Lakers squandered a good opportunity.

His annoyance wasn’t so much over losing a 20-point lead. Or his late missed 3-pointer, which rimmed out with the game tied. Or Jamal Murray’s fadeaway buzzer-beater that lifted the Denver Nuggets to a 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their first-round series on Monday night.

James’ rage came from a greater distance: the NBA’s replay center in Secaucus, New Jersey. At the center of his rage was a second-half foul on Michael Porter Jr. that was reversed by the league because MPJ made only minor contact on D’Angelo Russell.

LeBron James Rants At NBA’s Replay Center For Calls, Lakers Lose On Buzzer-Beater, Trail Denver 2-0

“I don’t understand what’s going on in the replay center, to be honest,” said James, whose team returns to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Thursday, behind 2-0. “D-Lo was certainly smacked in the face during the drive. What the (expletive) do we have a replay center… it makes no sense. It doesn’t make sense. “It bothers me.”

James was not his normal talkative self in his postgame interview after the Lakers saw Murray and the Nuggets come back from a 68-48 deficit to win their 10th straight game against the Lakers.

With about 16 seconds remaining, James had a wide-open 3-pointer that could have given the Lakers the lead.

“Rimmed out,” bemoaned James, who had 26 points and 12 assists.

Porter collected the rebound, setting up Murray’s game-winning fadeaway shot over Anthony Davis as time expired.

LeBron James Rants At NBA’s Replay Center For Calls, Lakers Lose On Buzzer-Beater, Trail Denver 2-0

James got straight to the point after the game.

— On Denver’s comeback, which featured a 32-20 fourth-quarter loss: “We missed shots. We still had terrific looks, we just missed them. “They made it.”

— On Russell shooting seven three-pointers after going one for nine from deep in the series opener: “We never lost faith in him.” “D-Lo is D-Lo.”

— On whether the Lakers can carry any momentum from this victory into victory 3 in Los Angeles: “Every game is its own challenge.”

— On the difficulties of a painful loss: “Of course, it’s a heartbreaking game, and you don’t want to lose in that way.”

That’s when James started expressing his dissatisfaction with the replay center. Earlier in the game, Murray was called for a foul when James drove to the basket, but the Nuggets successfully challenged the ruling.

LeBron James Rants At NBA’s Replay Center For Calls, Lakers Lose On Buzzer-Beater, Trail Denver 2-0

In his replay-center diatribe, James referred to Monday’s previous game, in which the New York Knicks rallied in the final 30 seconds for a thrilling 104-101 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Donte DiVincenzo hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 13 seconds left, capping off a drive that began when they stole the ball from Tyrese Maxey. Joel Embiid said Maxey was fouled, and that coach Nick Nurse and several players tried to call a timeout before the Knicks got the ball.

“What are we doing?” James stated as he concluded his postgame interview.

SOURCE – (AP)

FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, wants to stage a World Cup-style event with 32 top club clubs from around the world. If talks between Apple and FIFA are successful, it might be shown on Apple TV Plus.

According to the New York Times, FIFA is close to sealing a deal with Apple for global rights to the event. According to the Times, an agreement might be revealed by the end of the month.

According to reports, the purchase could be worth $1 billion, significantly less than FIFA‘s expectation of $4 billion. It is unclear whether this club tournament will be shown solely on Apple TV Plus or with free-to-air rights.

Nonetheless, given Apple’s interest in live sports for its streaming service — Apple TV Plus presently features Major League Soccer events as well as a monthly Major League Baseball doubleheader — one would expect Apple TV Plus to be the exclusive home for the Club World Cup.

The 32-team tournament is slated to begin in June 2025. The competition would include club teams from Africa (4 teams), Asia (4), Europe (12 teams), North America/Central/Caribbean (4), Oceania (1 team), and South America (6 teams).

FIFA has been attempting to launch a version of this competition for some years. The final big stab was scheduled to take place in China in 2021. COVID delayed and ultimately ended that iteration of the event.

Supposedly, both broadcasters and sponsors have been hesitant to agree to FIFA’s asking fees. So, this could be the last chance for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to make this event a reality.

If this agreement is completed, it will be the first time FIFA has entered into a single global contract for viewing.

Soccer has proven to be a popular source of content for streaming services aiming to attract viewers (and subscribers). Peacock presently has the streaming rights for English Premier League fixtures. Paramount Plus presently holds the rights to the UEFA Champions League.