In an attempt to keep UNLV quarterback Matt Sluka from abandoning the 23rd-ranked Rebels, gambling executive Mike Palm, the vice president of Vegas-based sportsbook Circa Sports, reached out to the school and offered to pay the $100,000 Sluka claims he was promised upon transferring from Holy Cross.
As reported by Front Office Sports, citing an Action Network report, UNLV passed on the opportunity and said the quarterback is no longer with the program.
Last week, Sluka announced he would not play for the rest of the season after not receiving the money that was allegedly promised to him. By exiting the program prior to playing a fourth game this season, Sluka retained his redshirt status, allowing him to transfer again without this season counting against his overall eligibility.
Related: Unbeaten UNLV Quarterback Matt Sluka Redshirting Amid NIL Dispute
The Rebels are currently 3-0 and the only Group of Five team ranked in either the AP or coaches’ polls, giving them an outside shot at making college football’s expanded playoff, Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports reported.
"UNLV and its collective have denied Sluka’s claims about the purported $100K oral offer," Schiffer wrote. "Even the NCAA has weighed in, saying future NIL disputes like this need to be avoided. The situation could have major ramifications throughout college sports.
Palm said when he saw Sluka’s social media post announcing his departure, he asked his boss, Circa Sports CEO Derek Stevens if they could possibly help. The NCAA forbids players from accepting gambling-related NIL deals, but Palm told the Action Network that there were non-gambling NIL deals they were looking at offering Sluka before being told he was no longer with the program.
“Mr. Stevens was willing to help the university get there,” Palm told Action Network, as reported by FOS. “One hundred thousand dollars is a small price to keep UNLV’s College Football Playoff hopes alive.”
