Matthew Sluka's NIL dispute with UNLV hinges on verbal offer - ESPN

UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka left the undefeated Rebels on Tuesday night over claims of unfulfilled verbal NIL promises from a UNLV assistant coach, a decision that illuminates the fragility of the current collegiate system and how talent is procured and retained.

Sluka's agent, Marcus Cromartie, told ESPN that UNLV didn't come through on a verbal offer of $100,000 from an assistant coach. The quarterback's father, Bob Sluka, told ESPN that head coach Barry Odom later said in a phone conversation that the offer wasn't valid because it didn't come from him, but rather from offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who declined comment to ESPN.

UNLV said Wednesday in a statement that 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,» 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."

UNLV's collective did pay Sluka one $3,000 fee for an engagement he made this summer, according to Rob Sine, who runs Blueprint Sports, a company that manages the collective. Sine said Sluka's agents first made contact with the collective in late August to discuss future opportunities to work together.

Sine said he wasn't aware of any promises to pay Sluka $100,000 and that Sluka had not contacted the collective about missing payments as far as he knew.

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