Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel doesn't agree with the reasoning behind Matthew Sluka's departure from UNLV, which comes amid a reported NIL payment dispute.
"At the end of the day, no matter what's going on with the money, you have to be there to play ball," said Manziel during his regular appearance on Action Network's BBOC YouTube channel. "You have the opportunity to be the starting quarterback at a school like UNLV. You've got your guys there that are relying on you. It's more than just the money."
Sluka, who has started every game for a Rebels team that has gotten off to a surprising 3-0 start, officially announced his departure from the program on Tuesday night. He alleged, according to media reports, that he did not receive any of the $100,000 that was agreed upon between his camp and a UNLV assistant when he came to the school as a transfer from Holy Cross. He said he only received a $3,000 moving stipend.
Manziel, who was given the nickname "Money" during his two years at Texas A&M after his electric play and celebratory money-making hand gesture, said this is a byproduct of the new era of college athletics where athletes are empowered to make NIL money.
"This is definitely one of the uglier sides of what we're experiencing with the college football pay system," the 2012 Heisman winner said.
Earlier this year, Manziel revealed on a podcast that his dad attempted to negotiate a $3 million deal with then-Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin to get Manziel to stay in College Station instead of leaving early for the NFL.
UNLV, in a statement released Wednesday, refuted Sluka's claims, saying it honored the previously agreed-upon scholarships.
“Football player Matthew Sluka’s representative made financial demands upon the University and its NIL collective in order to continue playing,” the statement read. “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. UNLV has conducted its due diligence and will continue to operate its programs within the framework of NCAA Rules and regulations, as well as Nevada state laws.”
UNLV's NIL Collective, Friends of UNILV, also said it had not agreed to the $100,000 figure claimed by Sluka's camp.
While Manziel doesn't agree with the decision Sluka made to leave the program after just three games, he thinks this is just the tipping point of the drama that we could see in the college football NIL era.
"Who really knows what the truth is in reality," Manziel said. "But I don't think this is the last time we'll see something like this."
The Rebels host Fresno State this weekend. They opened as a three-point favorite, but tumbled down to close to a pick'em after the Sluka news broke. As of this writing, they are a 1.5-point favorite. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
