Saquon Barkley, the star running back for the New York Giants, kicked off his eighth NFL season on September 4. Barkley, at 28 years old, is one of the world’s all-time greats. He’s establishing himself as an investor in the tech startup community. After an ACL tear in 2020 took him out for most of his third season, Barkley got some fresh inspiration. He took action to build his wealth and protect his financial future.
Barkley was selected second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft and signed a four-year, $31.2 million contract. He has since made almost $80 million in NFL contracts and bonuses. His financial genius extends everything away from the gridiron. He has endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Pepsi, and Toyota that have reportedly made him $10 million a year between them.
Barkley’s approach to wealth management is strategic. He’s pledged to put his NFL salary to work, while living only on money from endorsements. This philosophy came about after he felt the fragility of an athletic career for himself.
“When you sit out of football for a whole year, you realize that this game could be taken away from you,” – Saquon Barkley
The catalyst for Barkley’s investment journey was his reading of Peter Thiel’s influential book, “Zero to One.” Intrigued by Thiel’s advice, he set out to find his own opportunities in the startup ecosystem. Through his firm Barkley, he has funded more than ten of these startups — usually investing between $250,000 and $500,000 in each nascent venture.
His investment approach is marked by a belief in rigorous due diligence. Barkley likes to grill a company’s founders in person before investing any capital. To him, knowing your company’s mission, vision, and value is crucial.
“It’s about asking them what they stand for, what their mission is, why they think they’ll be successful,” – Saquon Barkley
Barkley’s business manager, Ken Katz, is critical in finding targets for investment, thanks to referrals from his deep network. Among those investments is the mobile payments app Strike, which he supported in 2021. Notably, he recently announced plans to turn all his marketing and endorsement income into bitcoin. He’ll make all the purchases with the same app, putting on full display a smart and futuristic approach to digital currencies.
Today, Barkley is making real contributions to the investment ecosystem as he continues to build his investment portfolio. He is intent on building long-term wealth for himself and his family.
“I was just thinking about how I can only play for so long, so I really gotta take advantage, keep investing, and create wealth for me and my family,” – Saquon Barkley
In addition to his investments, Barkley recently made headlines with his purchase of a $3.9 million home in Malvern, Pennsylvania. This newest acquisition is a testament to his promise of growing deep roots and flourishing in the disruptive growth pains of pro sports meets startup culture.
Through both his athletic achievements and business ventures, Saquon Barkley exemplifies a modern athlete’s multifaceted approach to career longevity and financial security. His dedication to investing wisely while still excelling on the football field positions him as a notable figure in both sports and entrepreneurship.