Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had to surrender his equity stake in prediction-market company Polymarket after the NFL clarified its restrictions on players investing in such businesses. Barkley revealed the development during an interview with Front Office Sports, explaining that league rules prevented him from maintaining his financial interest in the company.

“I am not in that right now,” said Barkley. “I am not allowed to be in that.”

The 29-year-old had invested in Polymarket before the NFL publicly outlined its position on prediction-market investments. Barkley recalled entering the investment around February, while the league had not made its position on prediction markets public.

“I was in it before, but no bueno,” he told FOS.

The NFL treats prediction markets similarly to traditional sports betting under its gambling policy. Players are prohibited from holding ownership stakes in these businesses, and the league also restricts their involvement in promoting gambling-related companies. NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy previously confirmed the ownership restriction when speaking with NBC Sports, stating:

“NFL players may not own a stake.”

The league's policy extends to players, coaches and staff, with trading on sports prediction markets also prohibited under its gambling rules. Barkley explained that the NFL communicates changes involving endorsements, investments and other business activities to players before the season, allowing them to understand the applicable restrictions.

The NFL's position differes with the approach taken by other major North American sports leagues. The NBA, Major League Baseball, NHL and MLS have agreements with Kalshi, Polymarket or both companies. The NBA has also designated the two platforms as preferred prediction-market partners.

Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James reportedly receives $15 million annually as a Polymarket endorser and appeared in a commercial for the company alongside Derek Jeter, Eli Manning, Sue Bird and other prominent figures. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has also invested in Kalshi.

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Prediction markets allow users to trade contracts tied to the outcomes of future events, with sports generating an enormous portion of activity on these platforms. Unlike conventional sportsbooks, companies such as Polymarket and Kalshi operate through prediction-market structures that have raised regulatory questions.

The NFL has resisted partnering with these businesses and has expressed concerns about their regulatory oversight and the protections available to participants. The league has also sought Supreme Court review of issues surrounding prediction markets.

Polymarket represents just one part of Barkley's investment activity outside the NFL. Before Super Bowl LIX, he invested in financial technology company Ramp and appeared in its Super Bowl commercial. TechCrunch reported that the investment was his largest private technology investment at that point.

Barkley has also invested in companies including Sequin, X2 Performance, Anthropic, Anduril, Neuralink, Cognition and Strike, alongside investments in funds and real estate.