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UNLV Athletics issued a statement on Wednesday in regard to Rebels football quarterback Matthew Sluka redshirting the remainder of the 2024 college football season due to a reported dispute between him and UNLV’s NIL collective.
Sluka, who transferred to UNLV from Holy Cross this offseason, announced late Tuesday he will step away from the program, claiming certain commitments made to him were not being “upheld” and fulfilled.
In its statement, UNLV’s athletic department stated they saw the “financial demands” made by Sluka’s NIL representation — Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports — as a violation of the NCAA’s pay-for-play rules.
REQUIRED READING: Who is Matt Sluka? UNLV QB redshirting remainder of season amid reported NIL dispute
“Football player Matthew Sluka’s representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing. UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law. UNLV does not engage in such activity, nor does it respond to implied threats,” UNLV Athletics said in a statement.
“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.”
Cromartie told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Wednesday that Sluka was verbally promised by one of UNLV’s assistant coaches a minimum $100,000 NIL package.
UNLV’s NIL collective, Friends of UNILV, is overseen by Blueprint Sports, who issued the following statement on Wednesday as well:
“We want to address the recent developments surrounding Matthew Sluka and his decision to redshirt for the remainder of the year. To clarify, there were no NIL offers made during Mr. Sluka’s recruitment process. Additionally, Friends of UNILV did not finalize or agree to any NIL offers while he was part of the team, aside from a completed community engagement event over the summer,” the statement read.
” … We would like to emphasize that we have upheld all Friends of UNILV contracts this season, and have not defaulted on any agreements with Mr. Sluka.”
UNLV (3-0) will take on Fresno State (3-1, 1-0 Mountain West) on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Sluka, who will be allowed to transfer once the NCAA transfer portal opens on Dec. 9, completed 21 of 48 passes for 318 yards with six touchdowns and an interception in three games with UNLV.