NFL Suspends Cardinals Scout Ryan Gold Over Gambling Policy Violations

On Friday, July 17, it was revealed that the National Football League (NFL) has suspended the Arizona Cardinals' director of college football scouting, Ryan Gold, for violating the league's gambling policy, per The Arizona Republic. 

The report originally came from the Associated Press and minutes later, ESPN. 

Following an investigation, the NFL found that Gold "participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games" and also leaked information regarding the Cardinals' draft plans while the draft was happening in April. 

The team released the following statement: 

“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 was with the Cardinals as a college scouting coordinator from 2018 to 2021, then became an assistant director of scouting in 2022 and was in that role through 2024. 

NFL Details Gambling Policy Violations

The NFL released a statement, which ESPN's Adam Schefter also posted, which said: 

"The NFL confirmed today that Ryan Gold, Director of College Scouting for the Arizona Cardinals, has been suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL’s Gambling Policy. This suspension is effective immediately.

“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 League’s investigation determined that Gold provided confidential, non-public inside information regarding 2026 Draft selections by the Cardinals before they were announced, and that Mr. Gold participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games.

“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.

“Mr. Gold has the right to appeal.”

Suspension Comes Amid Other Gambling Cases

Gold has been with the Cardinals for 12 seasons and has been in his current role since June 2025. 

This news comes in the wake of the NFL denying the Supplemental Draft, which would've allowed college quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who admitted to placing wagers while in college, to enter the NFL until at least the 2027 NFL Draft.