Matthew Sluka, QB of the University of Nevada in Las Vegas Rebels, declared he was quitting the team because of "representations" made during his recruiting that "were not upheld."
Earlier in the week Sluka shared the news in a post on X, saying, "I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season."
"I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled. Despite discussions, it became clear that these commitments would not be fulfilled in the future. I wish my teammates the best of luck this season and hope for the continued success of the program."
The former Rebel was vague in his justification for leaving a team that started their season 3-0. It was his agent, Marcus Cromartie, who later revealed it was because of an unpaid NIL deal worth $100,000. Sluka and his team allege that the payment was negotiated with an assistant after he agreed to transfer from Holy Cross. No written contract was ever put in place, Cromartie said, and efforts to set up a payment plan were unsuccessful.
Sluka transferred from the College of Holy Cross in back January. In his three starts for the year, he threw for 318 yards, six touchdowns, one interception, and completed 43.8% of his passes. He also ran for 253 yards and one touchdown to help lead the Rebels to their undefeated start.
The current bylaws of the NCAA state that "name, image and likeness activities may not be used as an inducement for an individual to enroll or remain enrolled at a specific institution." While schools are allowed to "provide assistance and services" to players in finding NIL opportunities, they are not allowed to compensate them directly.
"The NCAA fully supports college athletes profiting from their NIL, but unfortunately there is little oversight or accountability in the NIL space and far too often promises made to student-athletes are broken," the NCAA said Wednesday without mentioning Sluka by name. "Positive changes are underway at the NCAA to deliver more benefits to student-athletes but without clear legal authority granted by the courts or by Congress, the NCAA, conferences and schools have limited authority to regulate third parties involved in NIL transactions."
