Was working on this puzzle for a submission until I saw this great puzzle (https://www.xwordinfo.com/Crossword?date=11/3/2024) do a similar theme in a more clever way. Still wanted to clue and post as practice!
I don't see why you couldn't submit this anyway. It's a completely original theme with a great revealer (DOLLARSLICE), and I don't doubt that the NYT would accept it. Big miss here, but oh well.