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UNLV Athletics Releases Statement on Matthew Sluka, Reported NIL Dispute
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UNLV Athletics Releases Statement on Matthew Sluka, Reported NIL Dispute

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UNLV Athletics released a statement on Wednesday announcing that Rebels quarterback Matthew Sluka will skip the remainder of the 2024 college football season due to a reported dispute between him and UNLV’s NIL collective.

Sluka, who transferred from Holy Cross to UNLV this offseason, announced Tuesday night that he was withdrawing from the program, claiming that certain commitments made to him were not “fulfilled” and not honored.

In its statement, the UNLV athletic department said it viewed the “financial demands” made by Sluka’s NIL representative — Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports — as a violation of the NCAA’s pay-per-game rules.

REQUIRED READING: Who is Matt Sluka? UNLV QB to redshirt remainder of season amid reported NIL dispute

“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 and Nevada law. UNLV does not engage in such activities or 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 the laws of the state of Nevada.”

Cromartie told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Wednesday that one of UNLV’s assistant coaches verbally promised Sluka a minimum NIL package of $100,000.

UNLV’s NIL collective, Friends of UNILV, is managed by Blueprint Sports, which also released the following statement on Wednesday:

“We want to address the recent developments surrounding Matthew Sluka and his decision to step aside for the remainder of the year. To clarify, no NIL offers were made during Mr. Sluka’s recruitment process. Additionally, Friends of UNILV did not finalize or agree to any NIL offers while he was on the team, other than a completed community engagement event over the summer,” the statement said.

“…We would like to emphasize that we have honored all Friends of UNILV contracts this season and that we have not breached any agreement with Mr. Sluka.”

UNLV (3-0) will take on Fresno State (3-1, 1-0 Mountain West) on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 3:30 p.m. ET at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Sluka, who is eligible to transfer when the NCAA transfer window opens on Dec. 9, completed 21 of 48 passes for 318 yards with six touchdowns and an interception in three games for UNLV.