Eagles RB Barkley Dumps Polymarket Shares Due to NFL Rule

Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles running back, surrendered his equity stake in Polymarket to comply with league restrictions on player investments. The move followed an update to NFL rules that prohibit athletes from holding positions in companies classified as gambling or prediction market platforms.

Barkley discussed the transaction in an interview with Front Office Sports on Wednesday. He explained that the league provides a specific list of permitted and prohibited endorsements and investments before each season begins. Prediction markets were added to the restricted list this year. "I was in it before, but no bueno," Barkley said.

An NFL Players Association spokesperson confirmed the policy earlier this year. The union noted that the league treats prediction markets as gambling entities. Consequently, players cannot serve as endorsers or brand ambassadors for firms like Kalshi or Polymarket under the current gambling policy.

Barkley has invested in several technology startups. A 2025 report by The Profile indicated he invested more than $500,000 in companies including Anthropic, Anduril, Ramp, Cognition, Neuralink, and Strike, in addition to Polymarket.

The NFL's stance contrasts with other major professional sports leagues. The NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL, and Major League Soccer all hold agreements with Kalshi, Polymarket, or both. The NFL is also seeking judicial clarification on these contracts. Earlier this month, the league petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to determine if sports event contracts fall under state gambling regulators.

A league source told ESPN's David Purdum that the NFL wants a quick ruling. The source stated the league would accept a federal framework if it mirrored the regulatory approach states currently use.