UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka has announced he will not participate in the remainder of his team’s undefeated season. This decision follows an unfulfilled promise of a $100,000 NIL payment from a UNLV assistant coach that was made when he transferred to the Rebels from Holy Cross last winter, as reported by his agent to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
Sluka’s declaration late Tuesday shocked the college football community. Despite changes to the rules surrounding amateurism, the NCAA and universities continue to face challenges in regulating how players are compensated for their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
According to Sluka’s agent, Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports, Sluka was initially promised this payment as an incentive to join the Rebels. Cromartie represents several high-profile athletes, including Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Sluka’s father, Bob Sluka, confirmed that his son had signed with Equity Sports as he entered the NCAA transfer portal in December to switch schools.
Due to Sluka still pursuing his degree at Holy Cross, he was unable to formalize a NIL contract until he enrolled at UNLV later in the year. He officially joined the team during preseason practice in August, but, according to Cromartie, no written contract for the promised payment was created.
Cromartie disclosed that Sluka received only a $3,000 relocation fee upon transferring, with no other financial support provided as the agreed sum was unfulfilled. He noted that attempts to revisit the situation with UNLV’s athletic representatives and head coach Barry Odom yielded little progress, as they were not forthcoming in meeting the $100,000 commitment. Cromartie’s proposals to resolve the issue included a payment plan of $10,000 per month over five months, as well as a lower option of $5,000 per month, but those were rejected.
The athlete was then offered a mere $3,000 per month by Odom, which led Sluka to feel misled. Cromartie stated, “Matt felt lied to… he just wanted to stand up for himself.” UNLV released a statement suggesting that complaints from Sluka’s representation constituted financial demands against the school and its NIL collective, which could violate NCAA regulations and Nevada state laws. The school asserted it has honored all scholarship agreements made with Sluka.
As UNLV prepares to host Fresno State this Saturday in a crucial Mountain West matchup—both teams hoping to improve their postseason prospects—the Rebels boast a 3-1 record, featuring impressive victories over two power-conference teams thus far.
NCAA regulations enable players to retain an additional year of eligibility if they participate in four or fewer games within a single season. Having already played four years at Holy Cross, Sluka retains one year of eligibility he could utilize at another institution next season, as NCAA rules prohibit competing for multiple schools in the same academic year.
Despite the financial turmoil, Sluka’s decision highlights the increasing trend of college athletes receiving substantial amounts for their participation, with many earning hundreds of thousands, or even millions, from endorsements and sponsorships. In a post on social media platform X, Sluka expressed, “I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled… I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”
Although the NCAA lifted its ban on athlete compensation for endorsements and sponsorships in 2021, comprehensive regulations continue to be sparse, leading to inconsistencies across various state laws and standards. This chaotic landscape has prompted NCAA officials, including President Charlie Baker, to seek congressional assistance for the establishment of a clearer regulatory framework.
The ongoing difficulties within college football are exemplified by the case of Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada, who is embroiled in a lawsuit against Florida’s coach and a prominent booster, following the collapse of a significant NIL deal worth $14 million before he ever suited up for the Gators.
As Sluka weighs his future options, the conversation regarding the reliability of NIL agreements and the financial expectations placed on student-athletes remains pertinent. In response to Sluka’s situation, Mahomes advocated for better oversight and clearer rules, emphasizing the need for contracts to be honored properly within the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.
UNLV, which enjoyed a 9-5 finish last season and competed for the Mountain West championship, finds itself navigating a complicated transition after Jayden Maiava, the standout quarterback from last year, transferred to Southern California. Sluka, recognized for his outstanding performance in Division I’s Football Championship Subdivision, had previously set several school records at Holy Cross, including an NCAA Division I record for quarterback rushing yards in a single game, totaling 330 yards against Lafayette in 2023.
This season, Sluka has completed 21 of 48 passes for 318 yards, netting six touchdowns and one interception, while racking up 286 rushing yards and a touchdown over 39 carries. Notably, he contributed significantly in recent games, including a standout performance with 113 rushing yards against Kansas in a victory.
As this situation unfolds, it raises crucial questions regarding fairness and transparency in the college football landscape, as Sluka’s agent remarked, “At the end of the day, $100,000 for a quarterback in a Top 25 program is probably on the lower tier. The fact that he hasn’t received that or anything in between speaks to the unjust treatment he has received.”
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Reporting contributed by AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta from Kansas City, Missouri.
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