Sports

Oklahoma’s $2.7 Million QB Denies Gambling Claims To Avoid Becoming Huge Waste Of Money

#John Mateer
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John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners

© DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


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John Mateer finds himself in a sticky situation at his new school. The Oklahoma football transfer is now at the center of a sports gambling controversy.

The Sooners paid boatloads of money to secure the quarterback’s commitment. He’s doing what he can to avoid becoming a huge waste of cash.

Mateer blossomed into a star last year with Washington State. As a redshirt sophomore, he racked up a 3,000-yard season with 29 touchdown passes.

He was widely regarded as the top signal caller on the transfer market upon entering the portal. Oklahoma opened the checkbook to land his signature.

The Sooners reportedly paid seven figures for Mateer’s services. His current NIL valuation at On3 Sports sits at $2.7 million.

Given his NFL Draft eligibility, that sum could cover just one season. The risk was worth the reward in Oklahoma’s eyes. The school is now hoping the investment doesn’t backfire.

John Mateer controversy explained.

Screenshots of a Venmo account under the name “John Mateer” are now circulating social media. Transactions for “sports gambling” with what appears to be a former Washington State teammate are displayed.

Those alleged payments came while Mateer was an NCAA athlete. That could mean potential punishment in the form of a suspension.

Pro Football Network dove into the possible ramifications. Mateer could miss significant action if he’s found to have gambled on college football.

Even though the payments took place between teammates rather than with a formal sportsbook, the NCAA can still hand down major penalties…

The harshest is a permanent loss of eligibility, which typically applies when a player bets on their team’s games or gives out inside info.

If the allegations prove true, Mateer would fall under the rule for “wagering on your own sport at another school” – in this case, college football. That violation means he would lose 50% of one season of eligibility and have to go through sports betting education before returning to play.

To this point, the connection between the account and quarterback is unclear. There has been no verification, though the username and photo would lead one to believe it could be Mateer’s personal account.

The transactions were suspiciously wiped from the account shortly after the news went viral.

The Oklahoma QB has denied any wrongdoing.

“Mateer made it clear to the school that he has never gambled,” said Sooners insider George Stoia. While the optics are certainly bad given his status as a college athlete, the NCAA may not be able to do much.

With his denial, it must be proven that an actual wager was placed and money exchanged for the purpose of sports gambling. As Stoia and Andy Staples state, anything can be written into the subject line on Venmo transactions.

Things might be a bit easier to prove given “Mateer’s” specification on a USC v. UCLA game that lines up with the dates of the transaction, but still, he can potentially play it off as a joke between teammates.

John Mateer will do anything in his power to avoid suspension and play out his first full season in the SEC. Oklahoma is aware and supporting its starting passer.

The Sooners do not want him on the sidelines for half of the season. It would mean their pricy new addition was a huge waste of money.