Cardinals executive issues strong response to NFL amid suspension

Arizona Cardinals director of college scouting Ryan Gold is appealing the NFL’s decision to suspend him indefinitely after the league concluded he violated its gambling policy. Two days after the suspension was announced, Gold’s attorney, Mike Caspino, vehemently rejected the allegations, calling them “blatantly false” and stating that an appeal has already been filed.

“Ryan Gold has been an outstanding NFL executive for over a decade,” Caspino said on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “The accusations made by the league regarding his participation in prohibited gambling activities are blatantly false. We have demanded an appeal, and we look forward to clearing his good name.”

The NFL announced Friday that its investigation found Gold provided confidential, non-public information regarding the Cardinals’ 2026 NFL Draft selections before the picks were announced. The league also concluded that Gold participated in parlay wagers involving NFL and college football games. However, the NFL did not identify the individual or individuals who allegedly received the draft information.

The betting activity involved Gold’s wife, Jennifer, who placed $10 weekly parlay bets with a group of high school friends, according to Caspino. He maintained that Gold had no involvement in those wagers.

Caspino also disputed the allegation that Gold disclosed draft information, stating that Gold did not know which players the Cardinals intended to select before the picks were made. He said only team owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort knew the team’s final draft decisions before they became public.

The NFL said its review included interviews with relevant individuals and an examination of electronic records. The league added that the Cardinals fully cooperated throughout the investigation. It also stated there was no indication that any other employee, coach or player of the team knew about or participated in the activity, and found no evidence that the integrity of any game or play had been compromised.

The NFL stressed that its gambling policy strictly prohibits league and club personnel from participating in or facilitating sports gambling, placing bets on NFL football, providing confidential information to third parties or assisting others with wagering. The league indicated that the policy is reviewed annually with all NFL personnel and that it has invested significant resources into a gambling education program that reaches more than 20,000 people associated with the league.

The Cardinals publicly backed the NFL’s decision, stating that the league’s policies and expectations for employees are clear and consistently communicated. The organization described the matter as involving a single employee and said its focus remains on preparing for training camp and the 2026 season. The team also removed Gold’s biography from its official website.

Gold is in his 13th season with the Cardinals. He was promoted to director of college scouting in June 2025 after serving three seasons as assistant director of college scouting and four seasons as the club’s college scouting coordinator. His previous responsibilities included overseeing the daily operations of the college scouting department, managing the scouting staff, evaluating draft prospects and coordinating pre-draft activities.