The Arizona Cardinals are front and center, and not for a good reason.
The NFL suspended the franchise's director of college football scouting, Ryan Gold, for violating the league's gambling policy.
The report was initially published by the Associated Press and was confirmed in a statement obtained by ESPN minutes later.
The NFL investigation found Gold "participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games" and leaked information about the Cardinals' draft discussions — while the draft was underway in April.
The Cardinals issued a statement to The Arizona Republic reacting to the decision:
“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.”
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Arizona Cardinals logo at the Cardinals Training Facility in Tempe on May 6.
Gold had been a college scouting coordinator with Arizona from 2018-21.
He worked as assistant director of college scouting 2022-24.
ESPN's Adam Schefter relayed the NFL's statement via X:
"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.”
Gold has spent 12 seasons with the franchise. He assumed his current role in June 2025.
