Matt Leinart believes Jordan, Barkley, and Magic lost big betting on USC’s Rose Bowl.
Matt Leinart Thinks He Cost Michael Jordan, Two Other NBA Legends Big Cash originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Matt Leinart has shared plenty of stories from his USC days, but his latest revelation might be the most jaw-dropping yet. On a recent episode of "The Triple Option" podcast, the former Heisman winner opened up about a wild postgame moment that involved three NBA icons, some expensive drinks, and a massive bet gone wrong.
Leinart, reflecting on the aftermath of USC’s unforgettable 2006 Rose Bowl loss to Texas, revealed that he met Michael Jordan shortly after. And it didn’t stop there.
“It was the night I met Michael Jordan,” Leinart said. “He called me to his table, and I took a shot with Michael Jordan and Charles Oakley. My brother and some of my teammates were there. We were upset, obviously, but trying to move on and get ready for the NFL draft.”
Then came the bombshell.
“Michael goes, ‘Man, I was there at that game the other night. It was such a great game.’ It turns out he was in the box with Magic [Johnson], Charles [Barkley], and they had hundreds of thousands of dollars on the game. I think they put money on us, and we lost them the money.”
That 2006 Rose Bowl is widely considered one of the greatest college football games of all time. Vince Young led Texas to a thrilling 41-38 comeback win over Leinart’s USC squad, ending the Trojans’ hopes for a third straight national title, and apparently, costing some notable fans a few monster bets in the process.
While Leinart didn’t confirm exact figures, he seemed confident that Jordan, Barkley, and Magic had all wagered big on USC. Whether it was superstition, fandom or just some Vegas fun, it added another legendary layer to an already iconic game.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
