Oklahoma Sooners has Released the following Statements Regarding D……..

ByShasha Banks November 5, 2025November 5, 2025

Oklahoma Sooners Respond to Gambling Allegations & Additional Matters

The Oklahoma Sooners football program has recently been at the centre of two serious issues, prompting multiple statements from the team and the university’s athletics department.

1. Quarterback Allegations and Response

Quarterback John Mateer of the Sooners faced public scrutiny after screenshots surfaced of his 2022 Venmo account showing transaction memos referencing “sports gambling” while he was enrolled at Washington State University.

Mateer issued a personal statement:

“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false. My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends. I have never bet on sports. … I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling.”
The OU Athletics Department followed with its own statement:

“OU Athletics provides ongoing education to its student-athletes, coaches, and staff on matters related to sports gambling. The department utilizes ProhiBet, which is an industry-standard service offering comprehensive monitoring of sports gambling activities. OU takes any allegations of gambling seriously and works closely with the NCAA in any situations of concern. OU Athletics is unaware of any NCAA investigation and has no reason to believe there is one pending.”

Key implications and context

The existence of screenshots alone prompted the university to be proactive, even though no formal investigation is currently confirmed.
The statements emphasise OU’s educational role, monitoring systems (ProhiBet) and its desire to uphold NCAA compliance.
For Mateer, this issue presents reputational risk and potential eligibility implications if the NCAA becomes involved.
The university’s approach aims to balance transparency, due process and assurance to stakeholders (fans, team, recruits) that standards are maintained.

2. Earlier Incident: Assistant Coach Resignation

In a previous but still relevant matter, OU assistant coach Cale Gundy resigned after reading aloud a racially-charged word from a player’s iPad during a film session.

Gundy’s own statement:

“…last week, during a film session, I instructed my players to take notes… I picked up the player’s iPad and read aloud the words that were written on his screen. One particular word that I should never — under any circumstance — have uttered was displayed on that screen. … What I said was not malicious; it wasn’t even intentional. Still, I am mature enough to know that the word I said was shameful and hurtful, no matter my intentions.”
Head coach Brent Venables accepted the resignation and emphasised the program’s commitment to “mutual respect” and protecting its student-athletes.

Why this matters

It reflects the broader culture and expectations of the program — how off-field conduct (even unintended) is treated seriously.
For the Sooners, it signals that accountability is enforced promptly and publicly.
While this incident differs in nature from the gambling concern, it underscores the environment of heightened scrutiny within major collegiate athletic programs.

3. What This Means for the Sooners Program

The combination of the gambling-related allegations and the earlier coach incident places OU in a position where optics, compliance and culture are under the microscope.
From a recruiting and public relations standpoint, the university must show that it has robust systems in place — monitoring, education, swift response — to safeguard the integrity of its program.
For on-field preparations, distractions of this nature can impact team focus, performance, and cohesion. Maintaining a “clean slate” and clear message becomes essential.
For fans and stakeholders, transparency in these statements is a signal that the institution is aware of its responsibilities and the broader implications of athletic misconduct.

4. Next Steps to Monitor

Will the NCAA open a formal investigation regarding Mateer’s alleged transactions? At this time, OU says it has no reason to believe so.
How will OU further bolster its internal compliance systems (for example expanding monitoring, clarifying athlete education, revising policies)?
How will these incidents affect the team’s performance, morale and reputation moving into the upcoming season?
What will the public and recruiting consequences be — in terms of how high-profile the program remains, and whether prospective student-athletes/parents consider these issues in their decision-making?

Conclusion

The Oklahoma Sooners are navigating through two prominent issues — one involving alleged sports-gambling-related Venmo transactions by their quarterback, the other involving an assistant coach’s resignation over reading inappropriate content in a team setting. Both have triggered official statements emphasizing accountability, compliance and education.
As the programme moves forward, its ability to reinforce a culture of respect, maintain its reputation, and avoid further distractions will be paramount.