The UNLV Rebels are not caving in to one of their former athlete's claims.
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UNLV Reveals Sluka's Motives; Says All Payments Were Made
The university's athletic department and NIL collective claimed that QB Matt Sluka's recent decision to leave the program was an attempt to profit from the team's 3-0 start to the season.
On Wednesday, Sluka resigned from the rest of the Rebels season because "certain representations" made to his team were not "upheld." His agent, Marcus Cromartie, later revealed that the quarterback was "verbally promised a minimum of $100,000 from a UNLV assistant coach."
In a statement made on Wednesday, the school's athletic department claimed that Sluka used his services as a bargaining chip for more payment. They went on to assert that "all previously agreed-upon scholarships" had been "honored."
"Football player Matthew Sluka's representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing," the office said. "UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law. UNLV does not engage in such activity, nor does it respond to implied threats."
NIL Collective Backs University
Rob Sine, the CEO of Blueprint Sports, which runs UNLV's NIL Collective, Friends of UNILV, told CBS he was not aware of any deal involving a $100,000 payment. He went on to say that the company would keep a record of such a conversation, adding that, "There was nothing for this guy."
Friends of UNILV released a statement stating it had not made any "formal" offers to the quarterback.
"To clarify, there were no NIL offers made during Mr. Sluka's recruitment process," the statement read. "Additionally, Friends of UNILV did not finalize or agree to any NIL offers while he was part of the team, aside from a completed community engagement event over the summer.
