In a surprising turn of events, UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka has decided to sit out the remainder of the season over a promised but unpaid $100,000 NIL payment following his transfer from Holy Cross last winter. The revelation, shared by Sluka’s agent Marcus Cromartie with The Associated Press, has thrown the undefeated team into turmoil just three games into the season.
Matthew’s father, Bob Sluka, expressed that a miscommunication likely occurred, leading to this unfortunate situation. Sluka’s decision has created waves in the college football landscape, highlighting the evolving and often chaotic rules regarding athlete compensation for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). These difficulties are emblematic of the broader challenges faced by schools and the NCAA in this new era, particularly as part of the ongoing $2.8 billion antitrust settlement concerning the NCAA and top conferences.
Cromartie explained that Sluka was promised the $100,000 by a UNLV assistant coach during recruitment last winter. However, there was no formal agreement signed between Sluka and the school’s NIL collective, which manages athlete payments. UNLV, in its defense, issued a statement charging Sluka’s representative with making “financial demands upon the university and its NIL collective in order to continue playing,” interpreting these demands as violating NCAA pay-for-play rules and Nevada state law.
Bob Sluka and Cromartie have been consistent in their stance that they were only seeking what was originally promised to Matthew. UNLV, currently holding a 3-0 record, faces Fresno State in a critical Mountain West match this Saturday with aspirations for the 12-team College Football Playoff, now without their starting quarterback.
Sluka had signed with Equity Sports when he decided to transfer, joining a roster of notable clients like Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. During a visit to UNLV, discussions about NIL payments emerged with offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who indicated that these could be arranged through Equity. Cromartie stated that since Sluka was still completing his degree at Holy Cross, he could not sign a contract with the NIL collective until enrolled at UNLV, leading to a promised but undelivered $100,000 payment.
Bob Sine of Blueprint Sports, which manages UNLV’s NIL collective Friends of Unlv, noted they do not finalize deals with athletes until they are enrolled. Sine acknowledged it’s common for preliminary NIL discussions to happen before official enrollment, but revealed a $3,000 payment had been made to Sluka over the summer, with no further payments following.
The situation deteriorated further when there were no NIL payments delivered by July, only a $3,000 relocation fee. This led Cromartie to reach out to Sine on August 29 and again on September 19, proposing deals ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per month, all of which were declined. Instead, a $3,000 monthly offer was made, which Sluka found unsatisfactory, prompting his decision to sit out.
Attempts to resolve the situation included Matthew Sluka approaching head coach Barry Odom, who reportedly refused to discuss the matter. Cromartie indicated that Sluka felt misled, and his father echoed this sentiment, criticizing the lack of empathy and effort from the coaching staff to retain their starting quarterback.
The fallout revolves around complex NCAA rules that permit athletes to retain eligibility if they play four or fewer games in a season. With four completed seasons at Holy Cross and another eligibility year remaining, Sluka could potentially play elsewhere next season, as current NCAA regulations prohibit in-season transfers to another team.
In a statement, Matthew Sluka expressed his disappointment, stating, “I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled.” This highlights the ongoing complications within the NIL framework, where promises often remain unmet due to fragmented regulations across states and lack of federal oversight.
This situation is not isolated; for instance, Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada previously faced similar issues with a fallen $14 million deal at Florida. High-profile voices like Patrick Mahomes emphasize the need for a more structured system to avoid such disputes.
UNLV, with a strong previous season, now faces a critical juncture without their star quarterback. Sluka, who had an impressive stint at Holy Cross, was instrumental in leading the Rebels to notable victories this season, further emphasizing the impact of his absence.
While there remains a slim possibility of resolution, the sentiments expressed by Cromartie and Bob Sluka suggest otherwise. “At the end of the day, $100,000 for a quarterback in a Top 25 program is actually probably on the lower tier,” Cromartie asserted, underscoring the sense of injustice felt by Sluka.
This unfolding scenario spotlights the pressing need for clearer NIL regulations and consistent contractual practices to protect both student-athletes and institutions alike, ensuring fair play in the rapidly changing landscape of college sports.
