The NFL has suspended Ryan Gold, an Arizona Cardinals personnel executive, indefinitely for breaking the league’s gambling rules. The announcement came after an investigation revealed Gold shared confidential, non-public information regarding the Cardinals’ 2026 draft selections before they were announced. He was also found to have placed parlay bets on both NFL and college games.

The league did not disclose to whom Gold had provided the inside information. According to the NFL’s statement, the gambling policy, reviewed annually with all league personnel, strictly bans any form of sports gambling participation or facilitation, as well as sharing non-public information with outsiders. The league emphasized that while the integrity of NFL games was not compromised, any breach of these rules is taken very seriously.

The Arizona Cardinals expressed full support for the NFL’s decision, noting that the league’s policies are clear and consistently communicated to all employees. Their statement highlighted that the incident involved a single employee and assured that preparations for the upcoming training camp and 2026 season remain on track.

Gold, in his 13th season with the Cardinals, was promoted to director of college scouting in June 2025. Before this role, he served as assistant director of college scouting from 2022 to 2024 and a college scouting coordinator from 2018 to 2021.

Gold has the right to appeal the suspension, though he was unavailable for comment at the time.

The NFL enforces strict gambling policies on both players and league personnel. The policy forbids:

• Placing any bets on NFL football.
• Altering or fixing any NFL game or event.
• Sharing non-public information on any NFL game, player, or event.

While players are allowed to legally bet on non-NFL sports away from team properties, they can also engage in traditional fantasy football as long as prize money does not exceed $250. Gambling at casinos is permitted during personal time.

The NFL reported that the Cardinals cooperated fully with the investigation and confirmed no other team members were implicated. They also clarified that no games were influenced by Gold’s actions.

The NFL’s review involved interviews and electronic record examinations. Since 1963, over 15 players have faced suspensions for gambling violations. The last suspension was Isaiah Rodgers from the Indianapolis Colts in June 2023.