Current:Home > MarketsUNLV quarterback sitting out rest of season due to unfulfilled 'commitments'-InfoLens
UNLV quarterback sitting out rest of season due to unfulfilled 'commitments'
View Date:2024-12-23 16:27:27
UNLV starting quarterback Matthew Sluka announced on social media Tuesday night that he stepping away from the team in order to retain his final season of eligibility after a dispute with the school over payments for his name, image and likeness.
The Rebels are ranked No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll after Sluka led them to victories in each of their first three games this season, including road defeats of Kansas and Houston. He has thrown for 318 yards and six touchdowns, while also rushing for 253 yards and one score.
The move to redshirt before playing in more than four games allows the senior, who spent the first four seasons of his college career at Holy Cross, to enter the transfer portal and find another school for next year.
"I committed to UNLV based on certain representations that were made to me, which were not upheld after I enrolled," Sluka said in a post on X. "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's agent, Marcus Cromartie of Equity Sports, told The Associated Press that Sluka was promised $100,000 by a UNLV assistant before transfering to the school and that payment for the use of Sluka's name, image and likeness was never paid.
UNLV offered its own interpretation of events in a statement Wednesday.
"Football player Matthew Sluka's representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing," the statement 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. UNLV has honored all previously agreed-upon scholarships for Matthew Sluka."
Sluka was a record-setting dual-threat quarterback during his career at Holy Cross, ranking first in Championship Subdivision career passing efficiency, second in career rushing touchdowns and fifth in career passing touchdowns.
The Rebels will turn to either Hajj-Malik Williams or Cameron Friel at quarterback when they play their Mountain West Conference opener against Fresno State on Saturday.
(This story was updated to include more information.)
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (49)
Related
- Artem Chigvintsev Returns to Dancing With the Stars Ballroom Amid Nikki Garcia Divorce
- Unfazed by political blows, Pita Limjaroenrat resolves to come back to lead ‘alternative Thailand’
- Tesla is raising factory worker pay as auto union tries to organize its electric vehicle plants
- Yankees signing All-Star pitcher Marcus Stroman to bolster rotation
- Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to watch the fight, time, odds
- See Drew Barrymore’s Tearful Message to Adam Sandler After Watching The Wedding Singer
- Taiwan prepares to elect a president and legislature in what’s seen as a test of control with China
- Cellebrite donates AI investigative tools to nonprofits to help find missing children faster
- Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
- The UK prime minister is visiting Kyiv to announce a new support package for Ukraine
Ranking
- Fighting conspiracy theories with comedy? That’s what the Onion hopes after its purchase of Infowars
- Pay raises and higher education spending headline Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget in Georgia
- Democrats’ education funding report says Pennsylvania owes $5B more to school districts
- New chairman in Mississippi Senate will shape proposals to revive an initiative process
- Are Dancing with the Stars’ Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber Living Together? She Says…
- Grizzlies' Marcus Smart to miss 6 weeks with a finger injury, creating more woes without Morant
- Brooklyn synagogue tunnel: Emergency work order issued for buildings around Chabad center
- AP Week in Pictures: Latin America and Caribbean
Recommendation
-
Padma Lakshmi, John Boyega, Hunter Schafer star in Pirelli's 2025 calendar: See the photos
-
Japan launches an intelligence-gathering satellite to watch for North Korean missiles
-
Original 1998 'Friends' scripts discovered in trash bin up for sale on Friday
-
Dabo Swinney Alabama clause: Buyout would increase for Clemson coach to replace Nick Saban
-
FSU football fires offensive, defensive coordinators, wide receivers coach
-
Palisades avalanche near Lake Tahoe is a reminder of the dangers of snow sports
-
How to keep your kids safe after millions of furniture tip kits were recalled
-
Original 1998 'Friends' scripts discovered in trash bin up for sale on Friday
Like
- ‘Heretic’ and Hugh Grant debut with $11 million, but ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ tops box office again
- Michelle Troconis, accused of helping to cover up killing of Connecticut mother Jennifer Dulos, set to go on trial
- First time homebuyers, listen up! These are the best markets by price, commute time, more