NFL Mandates Saquon Barkley Divestiture of Polymarket Stake Under Gambling Policy
Saquon Barkley divested his Polymarket stake after the NFL classified the prediction platform as a prohibited gambling entity under its policy barring player ownership. This matches the league's amicus brief to the Supreme Court arguing the CFTC cannot adequately prevent manipulation in sports markets. New Jersey's petition tests state regulatory authority over such contracts.
SCCG Take — The NFL's enforcement and brief underscore its preference for state-regulated sportsbooks over CFTC prediction markets, flagging integrity risks that could shape platform legitimacy and investment access.
The Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has sold his equity stake in the prediction market platform Polymarket after the NFL ruled the investment ran afoul of its Gambling Policy. Barkley disclosed the required divestiture in an interview with Front Office Sports.
Barkley is an active investor in several tech startups. Reports emerged in late 2025 that he held a position in Polymarket, which offers trading on sports events. He told the outlet he has since exited the position.
"I was in it before, but no bueno," Barkley said. "I am not allowed to be in that."
Barkley earned approximately $50 million during his tenure with the New York Giants before signing a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles in 2024, which included $26 million guaranteed.
NFL Gambling Policy on Player Investments
The NFL generally prohibits players from directly owning equity in gambling companies, though mutual funds and index funds containing gaming stocks are permitted. As prediction markets like Polymarket expanded their sports offerings, the NFL clarified its Gambling Policy to treat these platforms as traditional gambling enterprises.
"The NFL views prediction markets as gambling entities," an NFL spokesperson said. "Players are not allowed to endorse or invest in a company like Polymarket under the Gambling Policy."
The Gambling Policy explicitly states that covered personnel shall not work for, own or operate any casino or other gambling-related enterprise, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly.
NFL Opposition to Sports Prediction Markets
While the NFL has embraced sports betting, the league opposes sports prediction markets. Earlier this month, the NFL filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in support of the court taking up the legal debate of sports prediction markets.
The NFL argues that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is ill-equipped to regulate sports prediction markets and ensure that the markets are protected against manipulation. "The NFL's highest priority is preserving the integrity of its games. The NFL has long engaged with legal sportsbooks and state gaming authorities to create and support a comprehensive statutory and regulatory framework that provides core integrity protections," the filing said.
The Supreme Court was petitioned by the State of New Jersey to determine whether states retain the legal authority to apply local sports betting regulations and integrity rules to CFTC-regulated prediction market event contracts. As first reported by Casino.org, the NFL's position maintains a clear line against player investment in these platforms.
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