NFL forces Saquon Barkley to sell his Polymarket equity stake

Saquon Barkley had to sell his equity stake in Polymarket after the NFL told players they cannot invest in or endorse prediction-market companies, the Eagles running back told Front Office Sports.

"I am not in that right now," Barkley said. "I am not allowed to be in that." He said the league briefs players before each season on what is allowed for endorsements and investments, and that prediction markets are now off limits. "So I kinda had to get out of that," he added. "I was in it before, but no bueno."

A September 2025 profile had listed Polymarket among Barkley's start-up holdings. The NFL on Wednesday confirmed that its ban on investing in or promoting sportsbooks also covers prediction markets. It declined to discuss Barkley's case. Polymarket declined to comment to FOS. The Associated Press independently reported Barkley's comments and the league's confirmation of the policy.

An NFLPA spokesperson told FOS in January that the league "views prediction markets as gambling entities," so players cannot endorse Kalshi or Polymarket under the gambling policy. The NFL still partners with DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics on traditional sports betting, and it has kept prediction-market ads and stadium signage out of its product.

That stance stands apart from other leagues. The NBA this week named Kalshi and Polymarket preferred prediction-market partners. MLB has an exclusive Polymarket deal that FOS previously reported is worth up to $300 million over four years.

What it means for RSO owners

Barkley's on-field role is unchanged. The news matters as policy: NFL players who took prediction-market equity or endorsement money may have to unwind those deals, and more public exits are possible as the league enforces the rule.

Watch how the NFL handles future disclosures, and whether other active players confirm similar divestitures before the next offseason window.