By Aaron Johnson (@voz_aaron1) – Spear Reporter | Ken Niumatalolo on the sidelines during SJSU’s game against Fresno State on Oct. 26 (photo by Nick Orozco- Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
Former UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka announced he was quitting the team over a NIL payout dispute on Sept. 25.
According to an ESPN article, UNLV originally promised Sluka a total of $100,000 for playing at UNLV but he only received $3,000.
On Friday San Jose State (6-4, 3-3 MW) will be facing off against UNLV (8-2, 4-1 MW) at CEFCU Stadium at 7 p.m.
In a Nov. 2023 press conference, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule claimed the going rate for a high quality quarterback was 1 to 2 million dollars according to an article by Saturday Down South.
“We won’t be shopping at that store,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “Sometimes we can go window shopping and say ‘oh that looks nice’ and then continue walking.”
Niumatalolo lightheartedly commented on what happens when players SJSU is recruiting ask how much money they will receive.
“You get a free, one sauce burrito,” Niumatalolo said. “We are the one sauce burrito school.”
With the potential of the NCAA allowing 105-full ride scholarships in the near future, it brings new challenges on how teams are going to handle their funds.
“You already see teams preparing for revenue sharing and how they are going to allocate that money,” Niumatalolo said.
The SJSU football team has a number of players who come from junior colleges on the roster who Niumatalolo said are just grateful to be here.
“This is what we have, if you like it, come on. There wasn’t any facade or unkept promises.” Niumatalolo said. “It’s refreshing for me as a head coach to be at a school where guys aren’t asking ‘what’s in it for me?’”
