Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles running back, has amassed nearly $80 million in NFL salaries and bonuses since entering the league in 2018. Rather than opting for a lavish lifestyle, Barkley has strategically invested millions in various venture funds and tech startups, as reported by The Profile on September 3.
His investment portfolio includes notable companies such as the artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company Neuralink, and the prediction market Polymarket. Additionally, he has invested in the Founders Fund, a venture capital firm led by billionaire Peter Thiel. Barkley’s approach to managing his wealth is influenced by a desire to secure financial stability for his family, as he noted the need to maximize his earnings during his relatively short playing career.
Barkley, who was the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, signed a $31.2 million contract. Concerned about overspending, he decided to invest his salary while living off endorsement earnings, which are estimated to be around $10 million annually from brands like Nike and Pepsi. His initial investments included traditional vehicles like S&P 500 index funds, but he has also ventured into real estate with a recent $3.9 million home purchase.
More recently, Barkley has embraced higher-risk investments, including mobile payment app Strike, and plans to convert his endorsement income into Bitcoin. His shift towards startup investing was inspired by Thiel’s book "Zero to One," and he conducts thorough evaluations of potential investments by engaging directly with company founders.
At 28, and having recently resumed play after recovering from a significant injury, Barkley reflects on the need for financial strategies that extend beyond his NFL career to build generational wealth.