NFL Policy: Saquon Barkley Sells Polymarket Stake

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley divested his equity in Polymarket to comply with new league regulations regarding player investments.

Barkley told Front Office Sports that the NFL provides a list of permitted endorsements and investments before each season. He stated that involvement with prediction markets is no longer authorized, summarizing his exit with the phrase, "I was in it before, but no bueno."

The NFL Players Association explained that the league treats prediction markets as gambling entities. Under this policy, players cannot serve as endorsers or brand ambassadors for firms like Kalshi or Polymarket.

Barkley has maintained a portfolio of startup investments totaling more than $500,000. A 2025 report by The Profile listed Anthropic, Anduril, Ramp, Cognition, Neuralink, Strike, and Polymarket among the companies in which he held stakes.

The NFL's stance contrasts with other major American sports leagues. The NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL, and MLS currently hold agreements with Kalshi, Polymarket, or both.

The league is also seeking judicial clarification on its regulatory authority. In October, the NFL petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review whether sports-event contracts fall under state gambling regulators. A league source told ESPN that the primary objective is to obtain a clear framework quickly, potentially accepting a federal approach that mirrors state standards.