Oklahoma releases statement addressing John Mateer's status after sports betting allegations

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer released a statement denying any involvement in sports gambling after several of his old Venmo transactions from 2022 — when he was at Washington State — were screenshotted with a description that labeled them as “sports gambling.”

Shortly after his statement, the Oklahoma athletic department released its own statement revealing the program has no knowledge of “any NCAA investigation and has no reason to believe there is one pending” regarding Mateer’s alleged Venmo transcations.

“OU Athletics provides ongoing education to its student-athletes, coaches, and staff on matters releated to sports gambling,” the Oklahoma statement read, according to SoonerScoop’s George Stoia III. “The department utilizes ProhiBet, which is an industry-standard service offering comprehensive moniotring 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 off any NCAA investigation and has no reason to believe there is one pending.”

OU athletics has also released a statement regarding John Mateer.

"OU Athletics is unaware of any NCAA investigation and has no reason to believe there is one pending." #Sooners pic.twitter.com/ULT2ziNuQR

— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) August 12, 2025

Sooner Scoop previously reported that the Sooners were aware of the alleged screenshot and was looking into the matter with Mateer. For his part, Mateer — who transferred to Norman this offseason — portrayed the Venmo transaction descriptions as “inside jokes between me and my friends.”

“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false,” Mateer said in a statement. “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 understand the seriousness of the matter, but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise. I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have no engaged in any sports gambling.”

Mateer was Oklahoma’s prized offseason transfer addition, following former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to Norman after combining for 3,965 total yards and 44 total touchdowns last season with the Cougars. Mateer is a true dual-threat QB that is expected to infuse energy into the Sooners’ beleagured offense that ranked 14th and 15th in the SEC in total and scoring offense, respectively, last season.

Mateer has drawn comparisons to famed Sooners QB Baker Mayfield given his unflinching swagger and personality, a comparison the former Cougars star has embraced in Norman.

Heir Apparent: John Mateer ‘honored’ by Baker Mayfield comparisons

A decade after Baker Mayfield arrived at Oklahoma from Texas Tech, the Sooners are hoping history will repeat itself. The comparisons continue to roll in for former Washington State quarterback John Mateer as fans see bits of the Heisman Trophy winner in his game.

Last year at Wazzu, Mateer showed his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. He threw for 3,139 yards and 39 touchdowns while adding 826 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, cementing himself as a dual-threat.

While Mayfield didn’t necessarily have the same amount of rushing yards – his career-high was 405 in 2015 – his ability to elude opposing defenses helped him become a No. 1 pick. As a result, the comparisons continue around Mateer and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback. But the highly rated transfer said he’s not looking at it as a bad thing. In fact, he sees a chance to chase that level of greatness.

“It’s an honor to be compared to him,” Mateer told reporters at SEC Media Days. “You talk about Oklahoma, everybody loves Baker Mayfield – which is great and deservedly so. He’s done a lot for this university. It’s an honor to be compared to him.

“I wouldn’t say I’m exactly like him, but it’s definitely cool to be [thought of in] such a high status. I don’t think of it as pressure, though – I just see it as an opportunity.”

— On3’s Nick Kosko and Nick Schultz contributed to this report.