NFL indefinitely suspends Cardinals exec over gambling violations
Ryan Gold was suspended after the NFL said he shared confidential draft information and took part in parlay betting.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
The NFL has indefinitely suspended Arizona Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold after an investigation found he violated the league’s gambling rules, the league announced Friday.
According to the NFL, Gold gave confidential, non-public information about the Cardinals’ 2026 draft picks before those selections were announced. The league also said he took part in parlay betting on NFL and college games.
The NFL did not identify who allegedly received the draft information from Gold.
Gold is in his 13th season with Arizona. The Cardinals promoted him in June 2025 to director of college scouting after he spent three seasons as assistant director of college scouting from 2022 through 2024. Before that, he worked four seasons as a college scouting coordinator from 2018 through 2021.
The league said Gold has the right to appeal the suspension. No public response from Gold was included in the announcements from the NFL or the Cardinals.
League says game integrity was not affected
The NFL said its investigation included interviews with people connected to the matter and a review of electronic records.
According to the league, investigators found no reason to believe the integrity of any NFL game was affected. The NFL also said it found no indication that any play or game was influenced by the activity.
The league said the Cardinals cooperated fully with the review. It also said it found no sign that any other member of the organization, coach or player knew about or took part in the conduct.
In its statement, the NFL said its gambling policy is reviewed every year with league personnel and bars NFL employees from taking part in or helping with sports gambling. The league said the policy also prohibits sharing non-public information with outside parties.
The NFL said it treats violations of the gambling policy seriously even though, in this case, it said there was no reason to believe any game was compromised.
Cardinals back the NFL’s decision
The Cardinals said in a team statement that the league’s rules and expectations for employees are clear, detailed and regularly communicated.
Arizona said it supports the NFL’s decision and described the matter as involving one employee. The team said its attention remains on the opening of training camp next week and the 2026 season.
The suspension lands as the NFL continues to put major emphasis on gambling rules across the sport. The league has policies covering players, club employees and league personnel.
According to the NFL, its gambling education program has reached more than 20,000 people connected to the league.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.