NFL suspends Cardinals scouting director for betting, leaking

The NFL announced an indefinite suspension for Arizona Cardinals director of college scouting Ryan Gold after investigators found he supplied internal information about the team’s April draft picks before they were announced and placed parlay wagers on NFL and college football.

The league released the action Friday and reiterated that its gambling policy bars all NFL personnel from wagering on any aspect of NFL activities. The policy also prohibits employees, other than players, from betting on other professional, collegiate, international or amateur sports. The league noted there is no reason to believe the integrity of any NFL game was affected and described violations of the policy as serious.

The Cardinals issued a statement supporting the league’s decision and described the matter as involving a single employee. The team said its policies and expectations for employees are clear and that its focus remains on preparing for the start of training camp next week and the 2026 season.

Gold joined the Cardinals 12 years ago as a scouting assistant and advanced through the scouting department. He became a scout in 2017, college scouting coordinator in 2018, assistant director for college scouting in 2022 and director last year. He may appeal the indefinite suspension.

Sports betting is legal in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Of the states that license sportsbooks, about 30 permit some form of wagering on the NFL Draft, though some limit wager types or require bets to be placed before the earliest affected round. Arizona allows licensed sportsbooks and online operators to offer draft markets but requires that any wager be placed before the earliest affected round begins. Federally regulated prediction exchanges operate in many states with some exceptions; several states, including Arizona, have pursued legal action against those exchanges for alleged violations of state gambling laws.

The NFL has disciplined non-players for gambling violations in the past. In December 2022, the league suspended Miles Austin, then a Jets receivers coach, for betting on other sports and playing online casino games on team property; Austin has not returned to the league since that suspension.

A separate eligibility issue involves quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who was declared permanently ineligible by the NCAA after investigators concluded he wagered on sports and placed bets on his own team while a redshirt player in 2022. Sorsby later placed bets while at Cincinnati and Texas Tech. He will be eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft after the league denied his request to enter a supplemental draft. If an NFL club selects or signs him, the league could review his eligibility and consider disciplinary measures under its rules.

The league enforces gambling rules for both front-office and on-field personnel and has applied discipline when internal rules are violated.