UNLV head coach Barry Odom reads statement on Matthew Sluka’s departure, no controversy

After UNLV’s first game after the development of the Matthew Sluka Drama – a defeat against the conference rival Fresno State — Head coach of the Runnin’ Rebels Barry Odom addressed the situation publicly for the first time.

And he did this by reading from a prepared statement. Odom said this was his only comment on the matter.

“I will briefly address the recent departure of one of our players from the team. The following will be my only comment on the matter,” Odom said, according to ESPN Max Olson. “Many have expressed a very clear opinion about the events of last week without full knowledge of the facts, without full knowledge of the events of last week and without full knowledge of the rules in the ever-changing and evolving NIL system. And unfortunately, some have even used this fact as a platform for their own plans. I respect everyone’s right to an opinion and will not comment on others’ opinions or their motivations for expressing them. Rather, I simply want to say that our football program complied with current rules and, subject to those rules, we are fully committed to the development and success of every student-athlete in our program.”

Sluka sent shockwaves through college football on Wednesday when it was announced that he would leave the team because “assurances” about the NIL money he would earn were not as promised. Now there’s some clarity about what Sluka was apparently supposed to do while playing for the Runnin’ Rebels.

Sluka was promised “a minimum” of $100,000, Sluka’s NIL representative told Equity Sports’ Marcus Cromartieconfirmed to On3 Pete Nakos. So far, Sluka only received $3,000 to move to Las Vegas, according to Cromartie.

Sluka previously played at Holy Cross in Massachusetts and is from New York.

“During Matt’s recruitment, we talked about a number between $100,000 and $150,000,” Cromartie told On3. “That was a number given to Matt to get there. We talked about how it would be great if we could get to $150,000, but $100,000 was the number.”

Follows the game, wide receiver Ricky White III required the $100,000 offered to Sluka by Circa executives to be given to the offensive line. They were the ones who opened up avenues for UNLV to access and ultimately pulled out a comfortable win that extended the record to 4-0.

“I would ask someone to contact the CEO of Circa and ask him to please give the $100,000 that he wanted to donate to our O-line,” White said, via Max Olson of ESPN.

UNLV has an experienced offensive line, with all five starters coming from upperclassmen. Three of them also transferred and are starting their college careers elsewhere.