Sep 13, 2024; Kansas City, Kansas, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Matthew Sluka (3) throws a pass during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Children's Mercy Park Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
College FootballBy Sam Neumann on

Update:

There are many moving parts to what’s become the biggest story in college football — and arguably all of sports — this week, but one thing remains clear: Matt Sluka never got his money. The now-former UNLV quarterback has elected to redshirt after leading the Rebels to a 3-0 record with six touchdowns and one interception.

He took to social media to announce his decision, which created a firestorm and led to a greater conversation around Name, Image, and Likeness, player compensation, and whether or not collegiate athletes should now sign employment contracts with their schools.

“I committed to UNLV based on certain representations made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled,” Sluka wrote.

Before Sluka and his family could comment beyond his initial intention to sit out the remainder of the season, Carl Reed Jr., a college football analyst for 247Sports (CBS Sports), claimed that all financial commitments had been met. After wins against Kansas and Houston, the embattled quarterback’s family “hired an agent, and they collectively feel that his market value has increased,” according to Reed.

Sluka’s brother, Rob, wrote to Reed, “You’ve got the wrong sources then. None of that is true.”

Rob Sluka has apparently since deleted his X (formerly Twitter) account.

While Ralph Amsden claimed that Reed was speaking for UNLV offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, it was noted to him that Reed was not speaking for Marion in this situation despite being listed as a point of contact for inquiries on his Instagram account.

Reed also appears to have a relationship with UNLV head coach Barry Odom.

In an effort to get out in front of the story that seems to be already shaping a narrative that Sluka was “quitting” on his team because he got offered more money to transfer elsewhere, his family and his representation attempted to set the record straight.

Marcus Cromartie, who represents Matt Sluka in his NIL dealings, told ESPN’s Pete Thamel that a UNLV assistant coach verbally assured Sluka at least $100,000 as part of his transfer agreement.

But according to Cromartie, that money never came through.

After Sluka enrolled, the school’s NIL collective did not attempt to back up that promise with a formal contract. Nothing materialized for months despite Cromartie’s multiple attempts to resolve the issue with UNLV’s staff.

Eventually, the collective offered a contract of just $3,000 monthly for four months, leaving Sluka $88,000 short of the initial verbal promise. So far, the only payment he’s received is a $3,000 stipend to cover his relocation expenses.

Cromartie made it clear there was never a push for more money after UNLV’s strong start to the season — they wanted the original deal fulfilled. When that didn’t happen, Sluka chose to sit out and likely transfer for the 2025 season, using this time to train and prepare for spring with a new program.

Sluka’s father, Bob, also contacted ESPN, telling Adam Rittenberg that his son’s agents agreed to a NIL deal with the school back in February. He echoed Cromartie’s sentiments with Thamel that they never received payments nor asked for any adjustments to the original deal.

“We have no idea what the hell happened.”

Bob Sluka told Rittenberg that when his son first joined UNLV, the school told him they’d pay him through a payment plan. But then they kept putting it off, first saying it was because of classes, then the games. And within the last week, Matt’s agent was informed by UNLV that they wouldn’t pay the now-former starting quarterback anything except for the $3,000 they gave him to move there.

The ramifications of this case extend far beyond Sluka.

Perhaps it should serve as a cautionary tale for current and prospective collegiate athletes, urging them to seek written contracts and secure clear expectations before committing.

The Matt Sluka saga is far from over. Investigations may ensue, and the debate surrounding athlete compensation will undoubtedly continue. One thing remains certain: the college sports landscape has changed irrevocably, and the NIL era demands a new set of rules to ensure fairness and safeguards for athletes and institutions.

And so has the way sports media will cover it.

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann