Circa CEO Derek Stevens has offered to pay the $100,000 asking price for QB Matthew Sluka. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Casino chief’s offer

A casino mogul from Las Vegas has reached out to local college team UNLV Rebels, offering to pay the asking price for quarterback Matthew Sluka.

Sluka has opted to utilize his redshirt year and withdraw from the UNLV team after accusing them of failing to pay a promised $100,000. 

$100,000 to keep the Rebels’ playoff hopes alive”

The news prompted Circa CEO Derek Stevens and Vice President of Operations Mike Palm to reach out to UNLV offering to pay the money to keep Sluka on the team. “Derek and I talked about the situation and thought it would be worth it for $100,000 to keep the Rebels’ playoff hopes alive,” said Palm, speaking to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

However, the offer was quickly rebuffed, as the relationship between Sluka and the team had already turned sour, and he had already left the program, making a deal impossible.

Sluka walks out

Sluka rocked Rebels fans last week by leaving the program, issuing a statement on social media stating: “I have decided to utilize my redshirt year and will not be playing in any additional games this season.” 

“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.” 

a violation of the NCAA pay-for-play rules, as well as Nevada state law”

The school responded with a statement of its own, saying: “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.”

“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.”

NIL power

The NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals referenced allow college athletes to still earn money from endorsements, so long as the money is not dependent on them remaining at a particular school.

However, it now turns out that the reverse can be true, with players refusing to play without endorsements, which could signal a major shift in power dynamics in college sports.

Sluka’s performances this season had earned him a spot in the USA Today coaches poll, the first achievement in the program’s history.

Hajj-Malik Williams is expected to replace him at quarterback for the remainder of the season, starting with a game against Fresno State on Saturday.

“After seeing the number move back up, maybe it’s Hajj-Malik we should have been focused on,” concluded Palm.