UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka has determined to take a seat out the remainder of his undefeated staff’s season due to a dispute over a $100,000 NIL fee that was promised however by no means paid after he agreed to switch to the Rebels final winter, Sluka’s agent instructed The Related Press on Wednesday.
Sluka’s announcement in a social put up Tuesday evening despatched shockwaves all through main school soccer, the place the outdated guidelines of amateurism have fallen however colleges and the NCAA are nonetheless grappling with find out how to regulate the way in which gamers may be compensated to be used of their identify, picture or likeness.
Sluka’s agent, Marcus Cromartie of Fairness Sports activities, stated Sluka was promised $100,000 by a UNLV assistant coach who recruited the quarterback final winter when he agreed to switch from Holy Cross to the Rebels in January.
Fairness Sports activities represents quite a few NFL and school gamers, together with Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. Sluka’s father, Rob Sluka, instructed AP by way of textual content message that his son signed with Fairness Sports activities when Matthew Sluka declared he meant to modify colleges and entered the NCAA switch portal in December.
Cromartie stated that as a result of Sluka was nonetheless finishing his diploma at Holy Cross, he couldn’t signal a NIL contract, sometimes performed with booster-backed third events referred to as collectives that serve a faculty’s athletes — till after he enrolled at UNLV later within the 12 months.
Sluka didn’t be a part of the staff till preseason apply in August. No written contract was ever put in place, Cromartie stated.
“In July, there was no NIL funds. There was no $100,000, I suppose you might say zero {dollars}. He was given a $3,000 relocation charge and that was it,” stated Cromartie, who declined to establish the assistant coach and stated UNLV head coach Barry Odom was not concerned within the preliminary discussions.
Cromartie stated after a number of weeks glided by he reached out to first representatives of UNLV’s collective after which Odom to debate methods to pay Sluka the $100,000 he stated the participant was promised.
Cromartie stated he recommended funds of $10,000 a month over the subsequent 5 months and even $5,000 per thirty days and was declined. Cromartie stated Sluka was supplied $3,000 per thirty days by Odom.
“At that time I feel Matt felt lied to. At that time he simply needed to face up for himself,” Cromartie stated.
UNLV has not commented since Sluka’s announcement and Odom didn’t converse to reporters after apply Wednesday.
UNLV is scheduled to host Fresno State (3-1) in a giant Mountain West recreation on Saturday, with each colleges hoping a robust season might put them in consideration for a spot within the 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff. The Rebels have already overwhelmed two energy convention colleges.
NCAA redshirt guidelines enable gamers to retain a 12 months of eligibility in the event that they play 4 or fewer video games in a season. Sluka, who performed 4 seasons (2020-23) at Holy Cross, nonetheless has yet another 12 months of eligibility that he might use at one other college subsequent season. NCAA guidelines don’t enable gamers to play for 2 colleges inside the similar season.
Sluka didn’t element the explanations behind his resolution, however school athletes at the moment are routinely being paid a whole lot of 1000’s, even hundreds of thousands, of {dollars} by firms or booster-funded collectives.
“I dedicated to UNLV based mostly on sure representations that had been made to me, which weren’t upheld after I enrolled,” Sluka posted on X. “Regardless of discussions, it grew to become clear that these commitments wouldn’t be fulfilled sooner or later. I want my teammates the very best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of this system.”
The NCAA lifted its ban on athletes being compensated for issues like endorsement and sponsorship offers in 2021, however put in place few detailed guidelines to manage how athletes are paid past saying the compensation can’t come immediately from the varsity.
A patchwork of state legal guidelines have created completely different requirements across the nation, and school sports activities leaders, together with NCAA President Charlie Baker, have been lobbying Congress for a federal legislation to assist get a deal with of an unruly system that lacks transparency.
Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada, who dedicated to play for Florida out of highschool, is suing Gators coach Billy Napier and one of many college’s prime boosters after a $14 million NIL deal fell by. Rashad by no means performed for Florida. He was launched from his scholarship settlement in 2023, transferred to Arizona State the place he performed final 12 months after which transferred to Georgia this offseason.
“They’re going to have to determine a system, similar to anything — ensure contracts are signed, or the language is completed the correct method,” Mahomes, who has change into concerned within the NIL collective at Texas Tech, his alma mater, stated Wednesday when requested about Sluka’s state of affairs.
UNLV went 9-5 final season and performed for the Mountain West convention championship, however the quarterback who led that staff to this system’s greatest season in almost 40 years, Jayden Maiava, transferred to Southern California of the Large Ten.
Sluka was one of many prime quarterbacks enjoying in Division I’s second tier, generally known as the Soccer Championship Subdivision. Holy Cross reached the FCS playoffs in 2021 and ’22 with Sluka because the starter.
After a training change at Holy Cross — head coach Bob Chesney left to take over at James Madison — Sluka additionally moved on. after setting a number of college data and speeding for an NCAA Division I quarterback report 330 yards in a loss to Lafayette in 2023.
Sluka has accomplished 21 of 48 passes for 318 yards, six touchdowns and one interception for the Rebels this season. A shifty and elusive runner, he has additionally rushed 39 occasions for 286 yards and a landing. He had 113 yards speeding in a 23-20 win over Kansas on Sept. 13 that adopted an earlier win towards Houston, making the Rebels 2-0 towards Large 12 groups.
“On the finish of the day, $100,000 for a quarterback that’s in a High 25 program is definitely most likely on the decrease tier,” Cromartie stated. “The truth that he hasn’t gotten that or something in between simply speaks to the purpose he’s getting performed unjustly and unfairly.”
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AP Sports activities Author Dave Skretta in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, contributed.
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