Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley confirmed he has divested his equity stake in Polymarket, a prediction market company. The move comes after the National Football League (NFL) clarified its gambling restrictions, which prohibit players from investing in or promoting such platforms.
"I am not in that right now. I am not allowed to be in that. I was in it before, but no bueno," Barkley told Front Office Sports.
Barkley's previous investment in Polymarket was revealed in September 2025, as part of a portfolio of private startup investments. He is among several prominent athletes who have recently engaged with prediction market companies.
Other athletes have entered into partnerships with Polymarket and its rival, Kalshi. In February, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo became a shareholder in Kalshi. LeBron James announced a reported $15 million annual partnership with Polymarket in September. Golfer Bryson DeChambeau became Kalshi's first official athlete ambassador earlier this year, and basketball players Kyle Kuzma and Breanna Stewart have also partnered with Kalshi.
The NFL has adopted a more reserved stance compared to other leagues. While the league has official partnerships with traditional sports betting companies like DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics, it has not established similar relationships with prediction markets. In October, the NFL urged the Supreme Court to consider a legal challenge involving Kalshi, arguing that sports-related prediction markets should be subject to state gambling regulations.
The league has expressed concerns about potential insider trading and market manipulation, particularly regarding player injuries, officiating, and other outcomes that could be influenced or predicted with foreknowledge. In contrast, the NBA announced partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket this week. Major League Baseball (MLB) and the National Hockey League (NHL) also entered into deals with prediction market companies earlier in the year.