Could the UNLV NIL dispute take place in Kentucky?

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A starting college football quarterback left his team just three games into an undefeated season due to unfulfilled NIL promises.

WKYT sat down with an NIL expert to discuss the situation in Las Vegas and whether we might see something similar here in the Commonwealth.

ESPN reports that Matthew Sluce was verbally promised at least $100 by UNLV, but the promise was never put in writing. In a statement, UNLV argued that the financial demands made by Sluka’s representative violated the NCAA’s pay-for-play rules as well as state law. They say they have honored all previously agreed scholarships for Sluka. According to CBS Sports, after negotiations between Sluka’s camp and UNLV failed, Sluka announced that he would be unable to play for the rest of the season.

Rob Jackson is the CEO of Next Play NIL, a marketing company that works with college and high school athletes. He says NIL rules and regulations are still a moving target.

“In this environment, there will be situations where there are misunderstandings, disputes, or promises made that cannot be backed up in a business manner due to rules and regulations,” Jackson said.

So, could what’s happening in Las Vegas happen here in Kentucky?

“Based on what I’ve seen here at Kentucky and what’s happening at other universities, this is a very, very rare case where a player has actually decided to opt out of further participation midway through the season,” Jackson said. “I don’t expect such a broad scale across the industry.”

While it’s unlikely, Jackson says it could be possible anywhere. He says this incident sheds light on the need for more uniform regulations across the NIL industry.

“We just need to land on some structure that properly manages this and protects every single person that is a part of it on both sides, whether it’s the student-athlete, the university or the coaching staff. There must be an established framework in place that allows everyone to conduct their business conveniently and protects the interests of all parties involved,” Jackson said.

In a statement, the NCAA said in part: “There is little oversight and accountability in the NIL space, and far too often promises made to student-athletes are broken.” Adding this without express legal authority from the courts or Congress – the NCAA, schools and conferences have “limited authority to regulate third parties involved in NIL transactions.”