Eagles RB Saquon Barkley exits Polymarket over NFL gambling rules

The National Football League maintains strict guidelines on player financial interests to protect its gambling partnerships and regulatory standing. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley stated that these rules required him to divest his ownership in the prediction market platform Polymarket.

Barkley explained the situation to Front Office Sports, noting that the league provides a specific list of prohibited investments and endorsements before each season begins. He confirmed that player involvement in prediction markets is no longer permitted, summarizing his departure from the venture with the phrase, "I was in it before, but no bueno."

The league's stance is grounded in its official gambling policy. An NFL Players Association spokesperson clarified earlier this year that the league views prediction markets as gambling entities. Consequently, players are barred from serving as endorsers or brand ambassadors for companies such as Kalshi or Polymarket.

Barkley has been an active investor in the technology and defense sectors. A 2025 report by The Profile indicated that he invested upwards of $500,000 in various startups, including Anthropic, Anduril, Ramp, Cognition, Neuralink, Strike, and Polymarket.

The NFL's position distinguishes it from other major American leagues. The NBA, Major League Baseball, the NHL, and Major League Soccer all hold agreements with Kalshi, Polymarket, or both. The league is also seeking legal clarity on the issue in the federal courts.

Earlier this month, the NFL petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review whether sports-event contracts offered by prediction markets fall under state gambling regulators. A league source told ESPN's David Purdum that the primary goal is to obtain quick clarity from the court. The source added that the league would accept a federal framework if it mirrored the regulatory approach used by states.