Oklahoma officials are reviewing Venmo transactions connected to quarterback John Mateer after screenshots surfaced online showing payments tagged with “sports gambling,” according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The activity, which emerged late Monday night, includes two transactions referencing “sports gambling” and one that specifically mentions a Big Ten game.
Per Thamel’s report, a source close to the situation said Mateer has consistently denied ever being involved in gambling. The Sooners were made aware of the posts shortly after they began circulating on social media and have been gathering information since. At this time, no disciplinary action has been announced, and the program has not released an official statement.
Sports betting violations have become a growing concern in college athletics, particularly in the wake of several high-profile investigations over the past two years. The NCAA maintains strict guidelines prohibiting athletes from betting on sports, including contests in which they are not directly involved. Even the perception of involvement can lead to scrutiny from compliance offices.
Mateer, who joined Oklahoma ahead of the 2024 season, is expected to serve as the starting quarterback this fall. While the details of the transactions and their context remain unclear, the references have been enough to prompt an internal review. The outcome will likely depend on whether investigators can verify if the tags were meant literally or used jokingly among friends — a distinction that has become a key factor in similar cases across the country.
For now, the Sooners continue preparing for their season opener while the compliance department works to determine whether Mateer’s activity violated NCAA rules. The situation adds an unexpected layer of off-field attention to a program already facing one of the most challenging schedules in college football this year.
