UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka was allegedly promised $100,000 in NIL proceeds during the recruitment process in Nevada, but that has subsequently been refuted by the school, causing Sluka to leave the team.
As the focus shifts to how these developments might affect team performance and betting markets, top-rated sportsbooks are likely to adjust their betting lines and odds to reflect the changes within the UNLV football program.
Promises, Promises
The law stipulates that a verbal contract is as valid as a written one, but proving what was said is the sticking point that causes many verbal agreements to become legally unsubstantiated. Such is the case with UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka, who transferred from FCS school Holy Cross to the FBS program UNLV on a verbal promise made allegedly by the Rebels’ offensive coordinator, Brennan Marion, during the recruiting process.
However, the purported deal was rescinded by UNLV head coach Barry Odom during a phone call with either Sluka, his father Bob, his agent Marcus Cromartie, or all three. A statement released by UNLV last week noted that Sluka’s “representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing.”
The statement went on to say, “UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules as well as Nevada state law,” the school said in its statement. “UNLV does not engage in such activity, nor does it respond to implied threats. UNLV has honored all previously agreed-upon scholarships for Matthew Sluka.
“UNLV has conducted its due diligence and will continue to operate its programs within the framework of NCAA rules and regulations, as well as Nevada state laws.”
Sluka had received $3000 for an engagement over the summer that was said to go to his moving expenses, but no other money has been given since then.
Stevens Makes an Offer
The dispute has gained notoriety because UNLV owned a 3-0 record and was subsequently ranked by a major poll for the first time in the program’s history at the time of Sluka’s departure. As a side note, Sluka remains redshirt eligible as he has not played in more than four games this season. This sparked a wave of controversy and caught the attention of Circa boss Derek Stevens.
Stevens and Vice President of Operations Mike Palm responded with an offer of $100,000 to keep the prolific passer on campus, but the talks did not materialize into anything meaningful.
“Derek and I talked about the situation and thought it would be worth it for $100 thousand to keep the Rebels’ playoff hopes alive,” Palm told the Las Vegas Review-Journal last week.
Bob Sluka contends the offer made to his son and his agency, Equity Sports, came during a recruitment visit in the winter of 2023.
“We left there understanding that we were going to get a certain dollar amount for Matt to come there on the NIL deal, not a blowout number, but a reasonable, fair number,” Bob Sluka said.
He also added that his son received more than 25 NIL offers from other big-time programs from the SEC and Big Ten that were “four, five times the amount of money we were willing to take from UNLV.” But although this situation is irretrievably broken, it does bring to light the paradoxical world of collegiate sports, NILs, and third parties willing to pay to procure an athlete’s services on behalf of the college or university of their choice. It appears likely that the NCAA and the legal system will eventually be summoned to create universal guidelines that will eliminate the confusion we are witnessing now.
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