After undefeated start, UNLV quarterback announces sudden decision to quit team due to dispute over off-field commitments

By Thomas Schlachter, CNN

(CNN) — The University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ starting quarterback will sit out the remainder of the season over an off-field dispute, he announced Wednesday.

Matthew Sluka, a senior at UNLV, said he will be redshirting this season over “certain representations” made to him not being “upheld.”

“I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season,” Sluka posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Per the NCAA, a player can redshirt a season – if they have played four or fewer games – to give them an extra year of eligibility.

“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.”

Since 2021, college athletes have been allowed to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL) and receive money from endorsements, sponsorships, social media and other forms of income.

Sluka’s NIL representative, Marcus Cromartie, told ESPN that Sluka was “verbally promised a minimum of $100,000 from a UNLV assistant coach.”

Rob Sine, the CEO of Blueprint Sports, which runs UNLV’s NIL collective, denied the claim, stating, “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.”

CNN has reached out to Cromartie for comment.

UNLV Athletics issued a statement on Wednesday in response to the alleged agreement.

“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 school stated.

“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.”

The Rebels have removed Sluka from their football team’s online roster.

Sluka wasn’t the only Rebel to declare his departure from the program.

UNLV running back Michael Allen announced on X that he, too, would redshirt and enter the transfer portal after what he says were expectations that weren’t met.

“After 3 games, I have decided to utilize my redshirt & enter the portal at the end of the season as a RS JR. I’m grateful for UNLV & wish them nothing but success,” he stated on Wednesday.

“Expectations for opportunities unfortunately were not met & I am excited to continue my football career.”

Allen would later post on X to say his decision to leave was based on playing time.

“My decision has no ties to NIL agreements. This is due to on-field opportunities. I did not receive a dime from any UNLV collective,” he posted.

Allen played in each of the three games this season, carrying the ball 19 times for 109 yards.

UNLV said Allen officially left the school eight days ago.

The Rebels won its first three games of the 2024 season. In the three victories, Sluka has thrown for 318 yards and six touchdowns. Sluka has also rushed for 253 yards and one score.

UNLV are set to face Fresno State at home without Sluka and Allen on Saturday.

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2024 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.