Arizona Cardinals executive Ryan Gold is appealing his NFL suspension after an investigation alleged he violated the league’s gambling policies.
Gold is accused of leaking information about the Cardinals’ draft selections this year, with the implication that it was then used to place bets.
The league said Friday that its investigation determined that Gold also placed parlay bets on NFL and college games.
Gold has worked for the Cardinals for the last 13 seasons in the team’s college scouting department. He was promoted to director of college scouting in June last year.
While scandals have rocked the NBA, MLB, NCAA, and MLS recently, this is the first betting scandal to hit the NFL for several years.
Accusations Are ‘Blatantly False,’ Says Gold’s Lawyer
The Cardinals supported the league’s decision to suspend Gold.
“The NFL’s policies and expectations for all employees are clear, comprehensive, and consistently communicated,” said a team spokesperson. “We fully support the league’s decision in this matter, which involves a single employee.”
Gold’s lawyer, Mike Caspino, denied the charges, labeling the accusations “blatantly false.”
“Ryan Gold has been an outstanding NFL executive for over a decade,” Caspino told ESPN on Sunday. “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.”
Gold’s Wife Allegedly Placed Bets
In its statement, the NFL reiterated the league’s rules, which prohibit anyone working in the league from “participating in or facilitating any form of sports gambling, and from providing third parties non-public information.”
The NFL has also taken a tough stance against prediction markets and warned players and staff at the start of last season that trading on the platforms is also forbidden.
There was no indication of where Gold is alleged to have gambled. However, Caspino said his wife had placed $10 weekly bets with a group of high school friends on parlays and that Gold was not involved.
Gold is not accused of influencing the outcome of any games for betting purposes.
“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 NFL added in its statement.
Jeremiyah Love Was a Big Mover in NFL Draft
The Cardinals drafted Jeremiyah Love as the No. 3 pick in the first round. A week before the draft, DraftKings made him a +1000 shot. The odds shortened to +600 by Saturday, +400 by Sunday, and +225 by Monday. On the day of the draft, Thursday, April 23, Love was +180.
At Kalshi, the Cardinals’ odds of picking Love rose from 7% to around 29% on April 23.
A few days before the draft, ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted on X that there was “growing chatter in league circles” that the Cardinals could pick Love.
The league may allege that some of that chatter came from Gold. Caspino said that Gold could not have leaked the draft selections as he was not privy to that information. The lawyer claimed that only team owner Michael Bidwill and general manager Monti Ossenfort knew who the Cardinals would draft.
