As the 2025 college football season approaches, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer’s alleged involvement in sports betting has sparked concerns about his eligibility and the program’s future. With the team ranked No. 18 and carrying high expectations, the potential fallout from this investigation could disrupt their campaign.
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Potential NCAA Penalties for John Mateer
According to his Venmo transactions from 2022, when he was at Washington State, Mateer has allegedly engaged in sports betting, including on NCAA football games such as UCLA vs. USC.
NCAA rules prohibit athletes from wagering on any NCAA-sanctioned events, defining bets broadly as any item of value risked on an outcome, including cash, dinner, or tangible items. Even sharing information like injuries or team strategy for betting purposes is a violation.
If found guilty, Mateer could face severe consequences. For wagering on his own sport at another school, he’d require education on sports wagering rules and prevention, plus a potential loss of 50% of one season of eligibility.
Wagers exceeding $800 result in a 30% eligibility loss, with amounts “greatly exceeding” $800 risking permanent ineligibility. Influencing outcomes or betting on own games leads to permanent loss of eligibility in all sports.
John Mateer has deleted all of his Venmo transactions. https://t.co/5qY3mofKLh pic.twitter.com/DMZLQwbgJy
— Bryan Aguada (@Bryan_Aguada) August 12, 2025
Mateer has deleted all his Venmo transactions, but the NCAA’s precedence over state laws means even permissible state betting violates their rules. As a high-profile case, the investigation could lead to fines, suspensions, or a lifetime ban if violations are confirmed, similar to Pete Rose’s ban or the Chicago White Sox scandal.
Impact on Oklahoma’s Season
Oklahoma, ranked No. 18, enters 2025 with high expectations, but losing Mateer would be a major blow. The Sooners’ demanding schedule, including a top-10 matchup, relies on his leadership. If penalized, Mateer’s absence could derail their playoff hopes, forcing reliance on backups amid a tough Big 12 slate.
Mateer’s case, based on 2022 payments labeled “Sports gambling (UCLA vs. USC),” could result in a case-by-case review by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. As Oklahoma’s season approaches, this scandal threatens their No. 18 ranking and playoff bid, emphasizing the NCAA’s zero-tolerance stance amid legalized betting’s rise.
If guilty, Mateer faces eligibility loss or permanent ineligibility, derailing Oklahoma’s 2025 hopes. The investigation’s outcome will shape his career and the Sooners’ trajectory, showing how damaging gambling can be in college athletics.