Casino offers to allow Matthew Sluka to attend UNLV, school refuses

The Matthew Sluka Saga has kept the college football world in turmoil. It's a modern-day college athletics tragedy that provides live ammunition to anyone with an opinion. The story simply took a different turn.

The day after UNLV's starting quarterback announced he was withdrawing from the 3-0 Runnin' Rebels' roster for the remainder of the season after failing to receive any payments, his father and his agent went on a speaking tour with reporters. They said an assistant coach had made a verbal offer of $100,000 for Sluka's services and they had not seen any of that money.

My first immediate thought: Can't UNLV just take a few bucks to the roulette table down the street and make the money to pay your quarterback? A casino in Las Vegas had the same thought.

Mike Palm, vice president of operations for Circa Sports, told Action Network's Brett McMurphy that they are willing to commit money to keep UNLV's CFB playoff hopes alive. Even though college athletes can't accept offers to promote casinos, there are several restaurants at Circa Sports that could use some advertising from Mr. Sluka.

“He could have even been a lifeguard at the stadium swim,” Palm said.

By the time Circa Sports contacted UNLV on Wednesday morning, the school had already moved on. A UNLV official told Palm that Sluka was no longer participating in the program and “We will no longer do business with the Sluka family.”

Additionally, the school released a statement saying it would not engage in illegal paid activities, and there was never a formal agreement between the two parties.

It's a little strange that UNLV, of all places, represents the moral high ground. But it is abundantly clear that all bridges between the two parties were immediately burned. If Sluka and his agent tried to put public pressure on UNLV to make a move, they failed disastrously.

This week's drama occurred as UNLV opened conference play against one of the better teams in the Mountain West, Fresno State. They are ranked 23rd in the coaches poll and will turn to another former FCS star who can make plays with his legs. Hajj-Malik Williams. UNLV opened as a 4-point favorite. The line quickly moved to UNLV +1, but they are now back to a 2.5-point favorite in a matchup that could very well decide the fate of CFB's Group of 5 playoff bid.

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