San Antonio – University of the Incarnate Word football wide receiver Roy Alexander will miss the Cardinals’ upcoming matchup with Lamar University as his legal team works to finalize an agreement that could lift his NCAA sports wagering suspension after this weekend.
Legal negotiations aim to restore eligibility
Alexander’s attorney, Desi Martinez, told reporters that the pending agreement appears poised to permit the player to return to the field after the Lamar game. “It appears that the Southland Conference, University of Incarnate Word, everybody will permit him to play after this game,” Martinez said, emphasizing that paperwork was still being completed as of Friday.
The NCAA originally suspended Alexander for six games after a lawsuit revealed he placed bets through a mobile app while attending the University at Albany and UIW. The petition indicates most wagers were under $12, with the largest at $80, and that none were placed on schools where he was enrolled or affiliated.
Betting rules and the player’s response
The NCAA’s wagering policy bars student‑athletes from knowingly participating in any sports betting involving intercollegiate, amateur, or professional competition, and also prohibits providing betting‑related information to others. Alexander’s filing states he stopped betting after reading an ESPN article on April 3, 2025, that warned of the dangers of wagering on college sports.
“Only after Roy read an ESPN article on April 3, 2025, dealing with the perils of wagering on collegiate sports did Roy unilaterally decide to stop betting,” the petition reads.
Temporary injunction and ongoing dispute
In September, a Bexar County judge issued a temporary injunction that bars the NCAA from preventing Alexander from playing for UIW for the remainder of the 2026 season, unless the court issues another order or a final judgment. Martinez argued the penalty was being applied unfairly, stating, “You can’t say, ‘Roy Alexander, we’re going to pick on you and make an example out of you,’ at least not on my watch.”
The NCAA has appealed the injunction, meaning the broader legal dispute remains unresolved. UIW and the Southland Conference declined to comment on the matter.
Impact on the Cardinals and next steps
The Cardinals are scheduled to travel to Lamar this weekend. While Alexander will sit out that contest, Martinez indicated that if the agreement is finalized, the wide receiver could be cleared to play in UIW’s subsequent games.
UIW’s football program has faced scrutiny after the Southland Conference raised concerns about the validity of wins in games where Alexander participated, citing a temporary court order that allowed him to play despite the suspension. The pending agreement is expected to address those concerns and clarify the status of the team’s recent victories.
Community reaction
Local fans have expressed mixed feelings. Some supporters argue that Alexander’s willingness to cease betting after learning of the risks shows personal responsibility, while others caution that any leniency could set a precedent for future violations of NCAA rules.
As the legal process continues, the focus now shifts to whether the agreement can be sealed quickly enough for Alexander to rejoin the Cardinals before the season’s critical stretch of games.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
