Boise State coach talks about new college landscape after UNLV loses star QB over money

Boise State coach Spencer Danielson spoke Thursday about one of the historic changes in college athletics — Name, Image and Likeness rights for athletes — and how it functions at Boise State.

The subject has been in the news a lot this year, and this week came word that UNLV’s star quarterback, Matthew Sluka, was leaving the Rebels over an NIL dispute.

Sluka announced on social media that he was departing because he committed to UNLV based on “certain representations that were made” that “were not upheld.” According to a story by Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger, Sluka was promised $100,000 in NIL money from UNLV but had received only $3,000 as of last week.

Sluka, a senior transfer from Holy Cross, guided UNLV to a 3-0 start and the No. 23 spot in the Top 25 Coaches Poll. The Rebels were expected to contend for a Mountain West title and bid to the College Football Playoffs.

Danielson noted Thursday that he has “no idea” what exactly happened at UNLV and said he “thinks the world” of Rebels coach Barry Odom. He didn’t speak directly about the situation there but discussed how Boise State handles NIL opportunites.

“Everything here is laid out. This is us. I don’t hold any cards. There’s no smoke and mirrors going on,” Danielson said. “They know that, the locker room knows that, and so that’s been my message.”

The NCAA instituted NIL rules in 2021, allowing athletes to get paid money and receive gifts via endorsement deals while playing in college. A few Broncos have been public about some dealings, such as former quarterback Taylen Green’s deal with Lithia Ford, which bagged him a one-year lease on a new Ford F150 truck.

Boise State athletes also benefit from The Horseshoe Collective, an independent organization that pools funds from local boosters and partners to help athletes who wish to use NIL to “make a positive impact in our community,” according to the university.

“When we recruit players, I’m very upfront about, ‘This is us, this is how we do things,’” Danielson said. “And it is my job to make sure that I follow through on those things, whatever those might be, from playing time to jersey numbers, all these different things.”

Danielson said he hopes an open approach helps keep players at Boise State in a college football landscape that basically allows free agency now.

“I’m not saying it’s perfect ... and it’s not going to fit for everybody,” Danielson said. “And that’s why when we talk about being built different ... this isn’t going to be a place that fits every recruit, and that’s OK. There’s a lot of places to play college football.

“I know what we look for here and what we want to recruit, and the guys we want, you’ve got to be different and want to be a part of this.”