Former Pitt assistant Brennan Marion is in the middle of an NIL fiasco that led to UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka stepping away from the team.
UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka announced very early Wednesday morning that he would utilize his redshirt season and opt out of the rest season — after playing three games — due to broken promises from the program.
Sluka’s agent, Marcus Cromartie, told ESPN that UNLV didn’t fulfill a verbally promised $100,000 NIL deal. Sluka’s father told ESPN that UNLV head coach Barry Odom told him that the offer was invalid because it came from Marion — the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach — and not Odom.
Additionally, ESPN reported that Sluka’s father said Marion and agents from Equity Sports agreed to a verbal deal during a recruiting visit last winter.
Friends of UNLV, the Runnin’ Rebels’ NIL collective, released a statement Wednesday:
“To clarify, there were no formal NIL offers made during Mr. Sluka’s recruitment process. Additionally, Friends of UNILV did not finalize or agree to any NIL offers while he was part of the team, aside from a completed community engagement event over the summer.”
UNLV also released a statement Wednesday:
“Football player Matthew Sluka’s representatives 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.”
It’s a convoluted situation that surprisingly hasn’t unfolded in the public eye sooner; it could be a tipping point in the way that college football players are paid through NIL opportunities. But it’s also a reminder that verbal agreements mean nothing — and to hire a good agent.
Sluka completed 21-of-48 pass attempts (43.8%) for 318 yards with six touchdowns and an interception, adding 39 carries for 253 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown, in three games for UNLV this season.
UNLV has beaten Houston and Kansas in its non-conference slate this season, along with Utah Tech, and the Rebels are one of the Group of Five squads that have received legitimate College Football Playoff hype so far this season. It remains to be seen how the opt-out (and the process) will impact the Rebels and those involved this season.
That QB and his family are idiots if they didn’t get anything in writing.
That kids stats suck.
H2P
Here we go again with stats. They are 3-0 with wins against Kansas and Houston, but you are worried about stats. Let’s see how the rest of the season plays out now.
That kid is 80% of their offense.
I hope the kid NEVER plays another down at any level.
Not surprised to read that Brennan Marion is involved in a controversy. So much drama with this guy…glad he’s no longer with the program.
Why are you bashing Marion, he didn’t pay the kid. He would not be the first Coach to make a kid a promise. Maybe we should look at what you are not saying hmm!!!.
What I’m saying is that Marion is no stranger to controversy (e.g. claiming to be Pitt’s next OC, to the surprise of HC Narduzzi).
Now he is “in the middle of a NIL fiasco”, making deals that Head Coach Odom said he was not authorized to make. Sorry, but I don’t believe that Marion is without fault here.
Everyone involved is at fault including the kid and his parents. As Adults they should have requested a contract, they should know to read the bottom line. Business came sometimes be messy, to single out one person is wrong when we both know he had the blessing of someone not named in this article. College Athletics are a Business, Tennessee is charging a 10% talent fee on tickets, people are transferring at an alarming rate for NIL money, this is what the NCAA become.Promises and handshakes mean nothing
Actually agree with what you said, however, it was not my intent to post an essay on the state of college football and I wasn’t trying to single out one person. I was merely commenting on this story, you know “Former Pitt Assistant Coach in Middle of NIL Fiasco”.
If you want to jump down someone’s throat, when you know no more than anyone else, maybe we should look at what you are saying. A little defensive don’t you think?
When all is said and done, is seems Coach Odom is dirty, and cheap. He is betting his QB back ups can do the job, and won’t admit he is welching to Sluka. Sluka should have gotten contract in writing before Game 1. Odom and staff conned him then and expected to con him throughout the season it seems. The other UNLV players should jump ship. Marion had to have SOME authority granted to him to make the offer and Odom misplayed this situation. Sluka did the right thing to redshirt against Odom. Marion should leave UNLV also.