• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025

UNLV Rebuffs Gambling Exec’s Offer To Pay Spurned QB $100K

  • The Rebels are 3-0 and ranked 23rd in the country. 
  • Matt Sluka claims he was never paid the $100K he was promised upon committing to the team.
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Earlier this week, UNLV quarterback Matt Sluka announced he would not play for the rest of the season after not receiving $100,000 that was allegedly promised to him upon transferring from Holy Cross. Sluka retained his redshirt by exiting the program before playing in more than four games this season. 

This being Las Vegas, a gambling executive tried to fill the gap.

In an attempt to keep Sluka in Sin City, Mike Palm, the vice president of Vegas-based sportsbook Circa Sports, reached out to the school and offered to pay the $100,000, according to the Action Network. UNLV passed on the opportunity and said the quarterback is no longer with the program. 

The Rebels are currently 3-0 and off to one of their best starts for a program that doesn’t have much history since Randall Cunningham starred for them in the ‘80s. They’re 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.

UNLV and its collective have denied Sluka’s claims about the purported $100K oral offer. 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. “One hundred thousand dollars is a small price to keep UNLV’s College Football Playoff hopes alive.” 

UNLV, sitting at No. 23 in the coaches’ poll, faces Fresno State on Saturday night in a tough Mountain West conference matchup. Messages for comment from Circa Sports, UNLV and the Friends of UNLV collective were not immediately returned. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Revenue-Sharing Chaos Begins as Texas Tech Secures Five-Star OT

The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million in the winter transfer portal.
Donald Trump

Trump Bill Has $1.6 Billion for Olympics, World Cup Security

Host cities have lobbied for federal funding to help with security costs.
Bill Ackman
exclusive

Billionaire Bill Ackman Prepares for ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Tennis Match in..

Ackman says he’s “peaking next week” at the Hall of Fame Open.

Hot Dog Maven George Shea on Chestnut Comeback and Investor Interest

George Shea runs a real estate PR firm and Major League Eating.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Everything You Need to Know About EA’s Return to College Basketball Video..

There hasn’t been a college basketball game in more than 15 years.
July 1, 2025

Big Ten Commish Still Pushes for 4 Auto CFP Bids in 16-Team..

The conference wants four guaranteed spots in the Playoff.
Ohio State
July 1, 2025

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 30, 2025

College Sports Revenue-Sharing Underway As More Changes Loom

July 1 marks the first day schools can directly pay players.
June 30, 2025

Pac-12 Hits Football Membership Threshold With Texas State Entry

The school is paying $5 million to leave the Sun Belt Conference.
Mar 23, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Baylor Bears guard Jeremy Roach (3) reacts after a play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.
June 26, 2025

Power Four Put Finishing Touches on How Revenue Sharing Era Will Work

The agreement stipulates that schools can’t sue to challenge any terms of the settlement.
June 26, 2025

Pac-12 Rebuild Nears Completion With 2026 Texas State Addition

The Sun Belt school is likely joining the Pac-12 in 2026.