The college football landscape has an NIL problem. On Wednesday, the college football world went into a frenzy following the surprising announcement of UNLV Rebels starting quarterback Matthew Sluka redshirting for the remainder of the year despite the team’s undefeated start. Reports quickly spread like wildfire, with Sluka posting on Twitter that UNLV did not fulfill their NIL promises from this offseason. Conversely, UNLV released a statement claiming that they met their NIL commitments towards Sluka and that the passer made ‘financial demands upon the Univeristy and its NIL collective in order to continue playing.”
News continues to drop regarding the highly volatile situation surrounding the Rebels and their starting quarterback, with star head coaches Kirby Smart and Brian Kelly also sharing their thoughts. Meanwhile, college football fans have flooded social media, expressing their opinions on the newest NIL-centric issue.
UNLV’s NIL Problem Vocalizes College Football Fans
According to UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka on Twitter:
I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season. 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.
Meanwhile, college football’s latest drama surrounding NIL took a turn after UNLV’s Collective released a statement stating, “There were no formal NIL offers made during Mr. Sluka’s recruitment process.” They also reiterated that they have fulfilled every NIL contract from this offseason. However, UNLV Rebels insider Mike Grimala reported earlier on Wednesday that Sluka’s NIL agent received the promise of a significant payout but without a contract. Additionally, Sluka attempted to re-negotiate an in-season NIL deal, but when UNLV did not budge, the signal-caller opted to redshirt.
The number floating around social media regarding the promised amount to Sluka’s agent is $100,000 per Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports. However, the former Rebels starting quarterback received only $3,000 as of the season’s fourth week. Sluka will finish his short three-game stint in Las Vegas, Nevada, with 318 passing yards, six touchdowns, and one pick on a 44% completion percentage. He also ran for 253 yards and one score. With the school’s NIL problem becoming hearsay, many football fans, insiders, and personalities have made their allegiances known via Twitter:
Old men hating in the replies but if their employers offered them a 6 figure salary and months later still hadn’t paid up I bet they wouldn’t keep going into work either
— Vance de Lafayette (@altparlay) September 25, 2024
After the conflicting reports. If you only got the 3k and promised 100k, then I understand your decision. And respect it
— Doc Holliday (@cougjazzfan) September 25, 2024
All you dudes talking about trust and he’s bailing on his “team”.
His team did not honor the agreement so he should bail and not bail them out. This isn’t sports anymore at this level newbs its business.
— Michael Hubbard (@Chubbard2022) September 25, 2024
College sports are becoming the land of entitled kids that have no respect for the team aspect of athletics. This is what everyone warned about regarding paying athletes.
NIL should definitely have a place in college sports but certainly not to this extent.
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) September 25, 2024
Someone in your corner, telling you this is the move, didn’t do you any favors. Football is still a team sport. Instead of finishing the next two months, and transferring, you decide to quit on them? Not a UNLV fan, but sucks for those kids. No team is going to trust you now
— ChrisMD (@chrisrich316) September 25, 2024
There is obviously a third party (another school) in his ear, promising more money if he quits and saves his eligibility.
Where is the NCAA when we actually need an investigation?
— Zachary (@osuzack) September 25, 2024
All of the people saying Sluka isn't a team-first guy would immediately leave their job if they didn't get paid https://t.co/pvF6jdqC1j
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 25, 2024
Rumors about why Sluka is redshirting:
-Another school offered him a bag to transfer
-He demanded more NIL money & UNLV said no
-Sluka’s telling the truth & someone isn’t paying what was promised
No matter which is true, it tells you a lot about where CFB is at right now https://t.co/vByzJfWQ1r
— Brian Rauf (@brauf33) September 25, 2024
But he decided to make the decision to redshirt and transfer after three games instead of before the season? That also does not make sense to me.
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteDustin) September 25, 2024
Or…UNLV did not honor their contractual obligation and screwed over their player.
You working for free at your afternoon Starbucks job?
No. You’re not.
— ECU Don ☠️🏴☠️ (@ECUvsTheWorld) September 25, 2024
This Matthew Sluka story has gotten wild. Carl Reed speaks for Brennan Marion and UNLV, Rob Sluka is Matthew’s brother. This isn’t a grey area thing- someone is lying. pic.twitter.com/7QhxOpZwYy
— Ralph Amsden (@ralphamsden) September 25, 2024
i’ll be on the unpopular side of the fence here but I don’t blame Matthew Sluka. Be mad at the system, not him. maybe it’s the lawyer in me but agreements have to be honored. no pay, no play
— jxke. 🧸 (@cantguardjake) September 25, 2024
We have statements from both UNLV and the NIL collective
There were no formal NIL offers
Then, Sluka’s agent went to Odom 3 games in and said “pay him more or he’s gone”
See ya pic.twitter.com/jRAkzAersP
— Barstool UNLV (@rebsbarstool) September 25, 2024
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