Hanna’s World: UNLV’s NIL Problem

By now, I’m sure that everyone has heard of NIL issues in college football specifically. NIL, or name, image, and likeness, allows college athletes to profit from their brand while maintaining their eligibility. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, has recently had some issues with NIL. Their quarterback, Matthew Sluka, announced he would sit out for the rest of the season because of unfulfilled NIL promises. Their running back, Michael Allen, has decided to use his redshirt and transfer at the end of the season. However, Allen said his departure has nothing to do with NIL agreements.

NIL Rules

1. Collegiate athletes can enter contracts with brands to endorse their products and receive payment for social media promotion or event participation.
2. Athletes cannot be paid directly for their on-field performance or recruitment. NIL deals must be independent of athletic performance and cannot be used as an incentive to recruit an athlete.
3. Each member of the NCAA has their policies for NIL, which the athletes must comply with. Some schools may offer resources to help athletes understand their opportunities.
4. Athletes are not required to disclose their NIL deals.
5. States may have their own NIL policies, and institutions must make sure all athletes follow those regulations.
6. Athletes must maintain their status as amateurs, meaning they cannot receive compensation, affecting their eligibility.
7. All compensation from NIL deals is subject to taxation, so athletes must know their tax obligations.
8. Athletes are encouraged to seek legal and financial advice to understand their NIL opportunities and contracts better.

UNLV’s NIL Problem

Last week, news broke that UNLV’s starting quarterback, Matthew Sluka, announced that he was departing from the team. He reasoned that he was promised a $100,000 name, image, and likeness payment that he did not receive. He said he was promised this money last year when he agreed to transfer. Sluka also claims that his scholarship did not cover his on-campus living arrangements. His agent, Marcus Cromartie, said that one member of the UNLV coaching staff verbally promised Sluka the money. Sluka led the team to three wins in three games and plans to transfer to a new school once he is eligible.

The statements made by Matthew Sluka and his agent imply that UNLV broke multiple NIL rules. However, in a statement by the school, they stated that when the money failed to appear, they were contacted by Cromartie, who demanded his client be paid. They continued by saying that he made financial demands from the university and the collective to continue playing. When UNLV denied his request, Sluka said he would step away from the team.

Here is the Full UNLV Statement:

“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.”

Athletes are usually paid by the NIL collectives that are often affiliated with the schools. The university cannot give a direct pay-for-play offer to their athletes. However, schools can offer to help broker NIL deals with the collective or other third parties. The NCAA also released a statement without saying anything about the UNLV-Sluka situation.

“The NCAA fully supports college athletes profiting from their NIL, but unfortunately there is little oversight or accountability in the NIL space and far too often promises made to student-athletes are broken.”

Conclusion

The situation between UNLV and Matthew Sluka highlights the challenges NIL agreements can cause in college football. His decision to sit out due to the alleged unfulfillment of financial promises shows the accountability issues within the NIL landscape. While UNLV maintains that its actions complied with NCAA guidelines, the conflicting allegations highlight the need for more regulations. There is also a need for better communication between the athletes, schools, and the collectives. As college sports evolve with the NIL era, it’s crucial for all those involved to establish trust and integrity in the system. Athletes should be able to fully benefit from their name, image, and likeness without jeopardizing their academic and athletic careers.