Following Coinbase’s State of Crypto Conference, the reigning Super Bowl champion sat with Boardroom to discuss how he got into the crypto space, his advice for young athletes, and more.
As Saquon Barkley prepares for his eighth NFL season, he steps onto the field with a new title: Super Bowl champion. While Barkley and the Eagles will start the march toward their second consecutive Lombardi Trophy, the All-Pro running back took some of his offseason to reflect on his success, both on and off the field.
“Success is not an accident,” he told Boardroom. Much like his experience on the field, Barkley has built an incredible team that has helped him navigate the sometimes uncertain waters of financial planning.
Boardroom’s Michelai Graham caught up with the Super Bowl MVP following Coinbase‘s annual State of Crypto Conference to discuss his financial journey, the critical impact of assembling a good team, and how he hopes to inspire the next generation.
Back in 2021, Barkley revealed that he would take his endorsement money in Bitcoin. In doing so, he became one of a set of professional athletes who saw Bitcoin as a key tool to build generational wealth.
“Crypto creates financial freedom and a sense of ownership,” Barkley told Graham. However, it’s been a learning curve that he’s dedicated himself to. “It’s about educating myself on money — and that’s been super important for me.”
Throughout his career, Barkley has compiled critical lessons in cryptocurrency — and financial freedom, more broadly. He reflects openly on the importance of long-term planning and the risks that athletes must consider while managing their pro paychecks. Although the crypto space has experienced some volatility in the time since he’s gotten involved, Saquon’s signature steadiness has served him well. “I panicked the first time. But you can’t panic. You’ve got to be in it for the long run.”
While his move into crypto has proven to be a lucrative one, Barkley points to the insights and influence of the team that he’s built around him. He cites the myriad lessons he’s learned from his financial team.
However, he knows that this is not something that is always readily available to the next generation, especially when they are the first in their family to encounter such decisions. He sees himself and his fellow successful athletes as a powerful resource for his younger teammates. “In a league of predominantly young Black men, those financial conversations aren’t always had in our households. It’s on us to inspire the next generation,” he said. While there’s no singular playbook for success, he thinks there are key lessons on smart money moves that may have a lifelong impact.
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