Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has come beneath the highlight after screenshots of previous references to “sports activities playing” surfaced on his Venmo account, however the incident has been dismissed as “inside jokes” with pals.
The College of Oklahoma (OU) is conscious of the content material and has opened a probe into the scenario.
The screenshots that got here to gentle on Monday (August 11) allegedly present Mateer inserting “sports activities playing” as labels for transactions on November 20, 2022, made to an account within the identify of Richard Roaten.
He’s believed to be a former teammate at Washington State, the place Mateer performed at the moment.
Pupil-athletes in school groups are strictly forbidden from betting on any sport beneath the Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation (NCAA) banner, with harsh penalties for anybody discovered to be concerned in playing exercise.
“The allegations that I as soon as participated in sports activities playing are false,” stated Mateer on X.
“My earlier Venmo descriptions didn’t precisely painting the transactions in query, however had been as an alternative inside jokes between me and my pals.
“I’ve by no means wager on sports activities. I perceive the seriousness of the matter however acknowledge that, taken out of context, these Venmo descriptions recommend in any other case. I can guarantee my teammates, coaches, and officers on the NCAA that I’ve not engaged in any sports activities playing.”
— John Mateer (@John_Mateer4) August 12, 2025
OU unaware of any present NCAA investigation on John Mateer
Because it continues to collect data, OU Athletics launched a statement declaring that it “takes any allegations of playing severely and works carefully with the NCAA in any scenario of concern.”
The varsity added that it’s “unaware of any NCAA investigation and has no cause to consider there may be one pending.”
Mateer transferred from Washington to Oklahoma within the latest offseason, with the Sonners set to open their marketing campaign at house in opposition to Illinois State on August 30.
For causes on and off the sector, OU will probably be eager to see the tip of this matter, with out one other sports activities betting scandal rising.
Final yr, the NBA needed to completely ban Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter for betting on outcomes he may have a direct affect on, with six individuals arrested total.
Extra not too long ago within the MLB, an investigation was opened into Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz, resulting in Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine calling for prop bets to be prohibited.
ReadWrite has contacted Oklahoma College, Washington State College, and the NCAA for additional remark.
Picture credit score: Oklahoma Sooners through YouTube
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