The UNLV Rebels’ promising 2024 college football campaign has taken a hit just three games in, following the departure of starting quarterback Matthew Sluka. After starting the season with a perfect 3-0 record, Sluka announced on Tuesday, September 24, that he would be leaving the program due to a dispute involving a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agreement.
In a statement shared on his X account, Sluka expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “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.”
Sluka, who transferred from Holy Cross, cited the university’s failure to meet its financial obligations under the NIL agreement as the reason for his exit. Reports indicate that he was promised a minimum of $100,000 in the deal but faced deferred payments. His father revealed to ESPN that the university informed the player’s agent that instead of the full promised amount, they would only provide $3,000 for relocation expenses.
As a result, Sluka has decided to take a redshirt year to maintain his eligibility, meaning the Rebels will be without their leading quarterback for the rest of the season.
This situation underscores the increasing influence of NIL agreements in college athletics, raising the possibility of payment-related disputes becoming a frequent challenge that may affect teams and their performance in various sports.