The UNLV Rebels have had a tough two days as two players exited the program, and the Rebels failed to exit the conference.
Starting quarterback Matthew Sluka and second-string running back Michael Allen announced they would both redshirt the remainder of the season. Each player would not play the remainder of the UNLV games and would enter the transfer portal upon opening.
While both players left in similar fashion, Sluka and Allen had two different reasons for the choice they made. Sluka was allegedly lied to about the amount of NIL earnings he would be paid by the UNLV staff, receiving just $3000 despite a $100,000 ‘handshake’ agreement. Allen, however, claims to have not made ‘a dime’ off of the UNLV collectives, and rather has chosen to leave after being promised a starting role.
Late last night after the two players announced their intentions, UNLV was also revealed to be a member of the Mountain West Conference who would stay.
Air Force & UNLV expected to remain in Mountain West, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. The 2 schools are each expected to receive a signing bonus b/w $25-$30 million – 5 times their media rights value – from the pending exit fees the MW will receive, source said. MW still needs 1…
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) September 26, 2024
The Mountain West is working to rebuild the conference after multiple teams were poached away by the Pac-12. UNLV fans, however, are not happy about the news as the Rebels would remain in a conference with significantly less talent.
Great! So UNLV & AFA can play Southern Utah and Sacramento State and Weber State and Idaho Technical State University of the Blind in the new & improved Mountain West Conference…FML
— William Boyce (@gq2scoops) September 26, 2024
UNLV can’t afford their QB let alone a buyout lol
— Drew English (@DrewfusMcGoofus) September 26, 2024
The truth is that the AD sold out the school. UNLV will burn thru the bonus in a couple years & then be left behind in a flailing league with zero attractive conference opponents.
By then the current AD will be gone & it will be somebody else’s mess to clean.
— Blue Bloods Bias (@bluebloodsbias) September 26, 2024
Currently, the Rebels would only be members of the conference until 2026 as the Mountain West officials need one more member. If the officials cannot find another member to join, the conference will likely crumble and the members of the conference would disperse.
The plus-side for UNLV is that the team would receive anywhere between $25-30 million as a signing bonus for remaining a part of the conference. That money would come from the fees that the programs who have left the Mountain West Conference must pay.
UNLV Rebels Remain Part of Mountain West Conference For Foreseeable Future
While some Rebels fans might be upset with the teams and level of talent that will surround UNLV in the conference, the money comes at a big time.
UNLV staff has hefty accusations levied against them that claims that the staff does not have the money from their collective that they are promising. In the era of NIL contracts and earnings, even players who are not interested in money are weary of shady dealings. The Rebels could see a significant impact in recruiting, especially in the transfer portal, moving forward with this new reputation.
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