Saquon Barkley sells Polymarket stake after NFL clarifies gambling rules

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley gave up his equity in Polymarket to align with new NFL guidelines. The league recently confirmed that players cannot hold investments in gambling or prediction-market companies.

Barkley told Front Office Sports that the league communicates these investment limits to athletes before every season. He noted that prediction market involvement is now prohibited. "I was in it before, but no bueno," he said. The report was published on Wednesday.

An NFL Players Association spokesperson explained the policy earlier this year. The league views prediction markets as gambling entities. Consequently, players cannot serve as endorsers or brand ambassadors for firms like Polymarket or Kalshi.

Barkley has been a frequent investor in technology startups. A 2025 report by The Profile indicated he invested more than $500,000 in various companies. Those investments included Anthropic, Anduril, Ramp, Cognition, Neuralink, Strike, and Polymarket.

The NFL’s stance differs from other major American leagues. The NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL, and MLS currently hold agreements with Kalshi, Polymarket, or both. The NFL is also seeking legal clarity on the issue.

Earlier this month, the NFL asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the status of sports-event contracts. The league wants to know if these contracts fall under state gambling regulators. A league source told ESPN that the team seeks a quick ruling. The source added that the NFL would accept a federal framework if it mirrored state regulatory approaches.