07/17/26 03:48:00
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07/17 15:43 CDT NFL suspends Arizona Cardinals executive indefinitely for
violating league's gambling policy
NFL suspends Arizona Cardinals executive indefinitely for violating league's
gambling policy
By ROB MAADDI
AP Pro Football Writer
The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold
indefinitely for violating the league's gambling policy.
The league said Friday that its investigation determined that Gold provided
confidential, non-public inside information regarding 2026 draft selections by
the Cardinals before the picks were announced, and Gold also participated in
parlay bets on NFL and college games. The league didn't say who Gold had
provided with the information.
"The Gambling Policy, which is annually reviewed with all NFL personnel,
strictly prohibits anyone in the NFL from participating in or facilitating any
form of sports gambling, and from providing third parties non-public
information," the NFL said in a statement. "Although there is no reason to
believe the integrity of any NFL game was affected, the League takes any
violation of the Gambling Policy with the utmost seriousness."
The Cardinals also issued a statement, saying: "The NFL's policies and
expectations for all employees are clear, comprehensive, and consistently
communicated. We fully support the league's decision in this matter, which
involves a single employee. Our focus remains on preparing for the start of
training camp next week and the 2026 season."
Gold, who is in his 13th season with the Cardinals, was promoted to director of
college scouting in June 2025. He spent the previous three years (2022-24) as
the assistant director of college scouting after working for four seasons
(2018-21) as a college scouting coordinator.
Gold has the right to appeal the suspension. He couldn't immediately be reached
for comment Friday.
The NFL has strict gambling policies for players and club and league personnel.
The league has also dedicated significant resources to its gambling education
program, reaching more than 20,000 people associated with the league.
The policy says players must not:
--- place any bet on NFL football;
--- throw or fix any NFL game or event, or otherwise manipulate or attempt to
manipulate any play or other aspect of an NFL game;
--- share confidential, non-public information regarding any NFL game, player
or event with any third party.
NFL players --- but not league or club staff --- are allowed to legally place
bets on other sports as long as they are off club property or not traveling
with the team. They also are allowed to take part in traditional fantasy
football leagues (prize money cannot exceed $250) and legally gamble at casinos
on personal time.
The NFL said the Cardinals fully cooperated with the investigation and the
league has seen no indication that any other member of the organization, coach
or player was aware of or involved in this activity. The league also said there
was no indication that any play or game was affected by this activity.
The NFL's review included interviews with relevant people and an examination of
electronic records.
At least 15 players have been suspended by the league for gambling violations
since 1963, including several in recent years, but none since Isaiah Rodgers
(then with the Indianapolis Colts) was suspended indefinitely in June 2023.
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