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UNLV Quarterback Matthew Sluka Announces Sudden Decision to Leave Team
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UNLV Quarterback Matthew Sluka Announces Sudden Decision to Leave Team



CNN

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas starting quarterback will sit out the rest of the season due to an off-field dispute, he announced Wednesday.

Matthew Sluka, a senior at UNLV, said he will be sitting out some time this season due to “certain representations” made to him that “were not being adhered to.”

“I have decided to take advantage of my redshirt year and will not play any additional games this season,” Sluka posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

According to the NCAA, a player can skip a season (if he has played four or fewer games) to gain an additional year of eligibility.

“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations made to me that were not honored after I enrolled. Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be honored in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program.”

Since 2021, college athletes have been allowed to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) and receive money through sponsorships, endorsements, social media and other forms of revenue.

Sluka’s NIL representative, Marcus Cromartie, told ESPN that Sluka was “verbally promised at least $100,000 by a UNLV assistant coach.” Rob Sine, the CEO of Blueprint Sports, which runs UNLV’s NIL collective, denied the claim to Yahoo Sports.

CNN has reached out to Cromartie and Sine for comment.

UNLV Athletics released a statement later Wednesday in response to the alleged agreement.

“The representative of football player Matthew Sluka made financial demands to the university and its NIL collective in order to continue playing. UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada law,” the school said.

“UNLV does not engage in such activities or respond to implicit threats. UNLV has honored all previously agreed-upon scholarships for Matthew Sluka.”

The Rebels have removed Sluka from their soccer team’s online roster.

UNLV has won its first three games of the 2024 season. In the three victories, Sluka has thrown for 318 yards and six touchdowns. Sluka has also rushed for 253 yards and one score.

The Rebels play Fresno State at home on Saturday, without Sluka.