Arizona Cardinals Executive Suspended For Violating Gambling Policy

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Arizona Cardinals Executive Suspended For Violating Gambling Policy

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jul 17, 2026 4:38 PM ET

As the NFL continues to embrace sports betting, the league is finding more and more people in its sphere that are engaging in it too. The latest figure to be caught is an experienced executive with the Arizona Cardinals.

According to Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press, the NFL has suspended Cardinals Director of College Scouting Ryan Gold indefinitely for violating the league's gambling policy. Per the report, an NFL investigation found that Gold provided confidential information about the 2026 NFL Draft to others and participated in parlay bets on NFL and college football games.

"The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold indefinitely for violating the league's gambling policy, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday. An NFL 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. 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," Maaddi wrote on X.

The NFL has suspended Arizona Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold indefinitely for violating the league's gambling policy, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Friday.
An NFL investigation determined that Gold provided confidential,…
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) July 17, 2026

Gold will have the opportunity to appeal the suspension.

The Cardinals Statement

Shortly after the suspension was handed down, the Cardinals released a statement supporting the league's decision and reaffirming their approval of the league's policies. The team also asserted that the decision involves only one employee within their organization.

"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," the team said, via Maaddi.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 02: A detailed photo of an Arizona Cardinals helmet during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The suspension for Gold comes at a time where sports betting by the people who have a role in it is being discussed more than ever. We just spent what felt like the better part of a month debating whether former Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby could be allowed to play in college or the NFL despite reports that he wagered on football while he was an active player.

Each new revelation of sports betting by people in the NFL raises new questions as to how many there are that have NOT been caught yet.

We can certainly hope Gold is the last one, but that just doesn't seem likely.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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