Starting UNLV quarterback Matt Sluka has announced that after opening the season 3-0 he will use the remainder of the 2024 college football season as a redshirt year, making allegations that he did not receive a promised $100,000 payment when he transferred to the school.
"I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing any additional games this season," Sulka wrote in a post on X. "I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled. Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program."
Sulka's decision to not play any more games this season will allow him to enter the transfer portal when it opens on Dec. 9.
Since Sluka's announcement, ESPN has reported that Sulka's NIL representative, Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports said that Sulka was verbally promised a minimum of $100,000 from a UNLV assistant coach for transferring there. None of that money was paid, according to Cromartie.
According to reporting from ESPN's Peter Thamel, UNLV made no attempt to fulfill the $100,000 that was verbally promised and countered with a contract for $3,000 per month through its NIL collective, which would be about $88,000 short of what was allegedly promised.
Rob Sine, who is the CEO of Blueprint Sports and operates UNLV's NIL collective, told Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger that the collective never agreed with Sluka on a $100,000 NIL contract.
UNLV Athletics released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:
"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."
USA Today published the following breakdown of Sluka's collegiate stats:
- 2020 (Holy Cross): 20 of 35 (57%) passing for 187 yards with two touchdowns and an interception; 44 carries for 234 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns
- 2021 (Holy Cross): 117 of 208 (56%) passing for 1,512 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions; 166 carries for 868 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns
- 2022 (Holy Cross): 153 of 266 (58%) passing for 2,489 yards with 26 touchdowns and four interceptions; 203 carries for 1,234 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns
- 2023 (Holy Cross): 122 of 197 (62%) passing for 1,728 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions; 186 carries for 1,247 rushing yards with nine touchdowns
- 2024 (UNLV): 21 of 48 (44%) passing for 318 yards with six touchdowns and an interception; 39 carries for 253 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown
