NFL Investment Limits: Barkley Exits Polymarket Stake

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley disclosed that he has sold his equity in Polymarket to align with new league regulations. The move was necessitated by NFL policies that prohibit players from holding stakes in gambling or prediction market firms.

In a conversation with Front Office Sports published this week, Barkley explained that the league outlines permissible endorsements and investments at the start of each season. He noted that prediction markets are no longer on the approved list. "I was in it before, but no bueno," Barkley said regarding his previous position in the firm.

An NFL Players Association spokesperson provided context earlier in the year, stating that the league treats prediction markets as gambling entities. Under this classification, players cannot serve as endorsers or brand ambassadors for companies such as Kalshi or Polymarket.

Barkley is an active investor off the field. A 2025 report from The Profile indicated he allocated upwards of $500,000 to various startups, including Anthropic, Anduril, Ramp, Cognition, Neuralink, Strike, and Polymarket.

The NFL’s stance distinguishes it from other major American leagues. The NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL, and MLS all maintain agreements with Kalshi, Polymarket, or both. The league is also seeking judicial clarity on the issue. The NFL recently petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to determine if sports event contracts fall under state gambling regulator authority.

A league source told ESPN reporter David Purdum that the primary objective is to obtain a swift ruling. The source added that the league would accept a federal framework as long as it mirrors the regulatory approach currently used by states.