UNLV’s NIL collective responded in force Wednesday to the insulation that it left compensation promises to former Rebels quarterback Matthew Sluka unfulfilled, claiming in a statement that “there were no formal NIL offers made during Mr. Sluka’s recruitment process.”
Blueprint Sports — which handles UNLV’s NIL operation — contends it is up to date all its monetary obligations to the university’s athletes.
“We want to address the recent developments surrounding Matthew Sluka and his decision to redshirt for the remainder of the year,” the company’s statement read. “To clarify, there were no formal NIL offers made during Mr. Sluka’s recruitment process. 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. At Blueprint Sports and Friends of UNILV, we take our commitments very seriously. We would like to emphasize that we have upheld all Friends of UNILV contracts this season, and have not defaulted on any agreements with Mr. Sluka. Our commitment to supporting Rebel student-athletes remains unwavering, and we are dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our programs.”
UNLV also released a statement Wednesday afternoon, calling demands from Sluka’s camp a “violation of NCAA pay-for-play rules.”
“Football player Matthew Sluka’s representative made financial demands upon the university and its NIL collective in order to continue playing. UNLV Athletics interpreted these demands as a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law,” the statement read. “UNLV does not engage in such activity, nor does it respond to implied threats. 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 Nevada state laws.”
Sluka announced late Tuesday night that he will no longer play for the Rebels and will instead use the 2024 season as a redshirt year after “representations” made to him during the recruiting process “were not upheld” after he enrolled. Sluka’s decision leaves the 3-0 Rebels without their starting quarterback ahead of a Week 5 showdown with Mountain West foe Fresno State.
ESPN reported Sluka was verbally promised a minimum of $100,000 from a UNLV assistant coach. But at the crux of the breakdown between Sluka and UNLV was that whatever Sluka believed he was promised by UNLV was not outlined in writing before he arrived as a transfer from Holy Cross.
Sluka’s agents later attempted to negotiate a deal that would have paid him under 50% of what he was verbally promised, according to CBS Sports sources. But when no deal could be reached, he decided to step away.
Sluka passed for 318 yards and six touchdowns during UNLV’s 3-0 start, which included road wins over Houston and Kansas. He also rushed for 253 yards. The New York native will have one season of eligibility remaining since he appeared in four games or fewer during the 2024 season.
