Giants’ Saquon Barkley will accept his endorsement money in Bitcoin
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News
Giants’ Saquon Barkley will accept his endorsement money in Bitcoin
Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America/TNS
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during the Blue and White scrimmage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 28, 2020. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images/TNS)
Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America/TNS
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries the ball during the Blue and White scrimmage at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 28, 2020. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images/TNS)
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Michael Ainsworth
It appears the Texans are already preparing for life after Deshaun Watson, considering their first pick of the 2021 draft was Stanford quarterback Davis Mills in the third round. Mills won't keep them from drafting a quarterback here if Watson gets traded. Two of Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley's last three quarterbacks went No. 1 overall. Rattler is a Heisman favorite headed into next season. Top needs: QB, Edge, OL
Michael Ainsworth
It appears the Texans are already preparing for life after Deshaun Watson, considering their first pick of the 2021 draft was Stanford quarterback Davis Mills in the third round. Mills won't keep them from drafting a quarterback here if Watson gets traded. Two of Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley's last three quarterbacks went No. 1 overall. Rattler is a Heisman favorite headed into next season. Top needs: QB, Edge, OL
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Chris Pietsch
The only player from Oregon to go first overall in the NFL Draft was George Shaw in 1955. Thibodeaux could threaten that streak. He has combined for 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 10 tackles and 18 quarterback pressures in two career Pac-12 Championship Games. Top needs: Edge, LB, OT
Chris Pietsch
The only player from Oregon to go first overall in the NFL Draft was George Shaw in 1955. Thibodeaux could threaten that streak. He has combined for 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, 10 tackles and 18 quarterback pressures in two career Pac-12 Championship Games. Top needs: Edge, LB, OT
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Jay LaPrete
Harrison is still developing pass rush instincts, but a third year coached up by defensive line savant Larry Johnson should do the trick. He could test off the charts when we return to the combine in Indy. Top needs: WR, Edge, LB
Jay LaPrete
Harrison is still developing pass rush instincts, but a third year coached up by defensive line savant Larry Johnson should do the trick. He could test off the charts when we return to the combine in Indy. Top needs: WR, Edge, LB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Carlos Osorio
I expect Hamilton to be one of the best all-around defenders in the nation next season. He features a rare combination of size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), athleticism and football IQ for a defensive back. Top needs: CB, TE, S
Carlos Osorio
I expect Hamilton to be one of the best all-around defenders in the nation next season. He features a rare combination of size (6-foot-4, 210 pounds), athleticism and football IQ for a defensive back. Top needs: CB, TE, S
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Michael Dwyer
Howell has piled up 7,227 yards, 68 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions in two seasons. He'd be the sixth quarterback from the ACC to be selected in the first round since 2017 — Watson (2017), Mitchell Trubisky (2017), Lamar Jackson (2018), Daniel Jones (2019) and Trevor Lawrence (2021). Top needs: QB, Edge, LB
Michael Dwyer
Howell has piled up 7,227 yards, 68 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions in two seasons. He'd be the sixth quarterback from the ACC to be selected in the first round since 2017 — Watson (2017), Mitchell Trubisky (2017), Lamar Jackson (2018), Daniel Jones (2019) and Trevor Lawrence (2021). Top needs: QB, Edge, LB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Brynn Anderson
Ridder's size (6-4, 215), accuracy and dual-threat capabilities make him an intriguing prospect. He's already 30-5 as a starter and if he levels up, he could be in considered for the top overall pick. Top needs: QB, OL, CB
Brynn Anderson
Ridder's size (6-4, 215), accuracy and dual-threat capabilities make him an intriguing prospect. He's already 30-5 as a starter and if he levels up, he could be in considered for the top overall pick. Top needs: QB, OL, CB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Sam Craft
Leal is already one of the most physically imposing players in the SEC and he's still growing. He features inside-outside versatility and is an asset against the run or pass. Top needs: DT, OL, WR
Sam Craft
Leal is already one of the most physically imposing players in the SEC and he's still growing. He features inside-outside versatility and is an asset against the run or pass. Top needs: DT, OL, WR
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
John Bazemore
After the Steelers failed to address offensive tackle in the draft, I doubt Ben Roethlisberger has much longer. If you're looking for a quarterback with breakout potential like Joe Burrow or Mac Jones, it's Daniels in his first full season as Bulldogs starter. Top needs: QB, OT, CB
John Bazemore
After the Steelers failed to address offensive tackle in the draft, I doubt Ben Roethlisberger has much longer. If you're looking for a quarterback with breakout potential like Joe Burrow or Mac Jones, it's Daniels in his first full season as Bulldogs starter. Top needs: QB, OT, CB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Jeffrey McWhorter
If Ross' medical evaluations — he missed 2020 after neck surgery — check out, he's likely the first wide receiver drafted. He has top-10 talent. Top needs: WR, DT, TE
Jeffrey McWhorter
If Ross' medical evaluations — he missed 2020 after neck surgery — check out, he's likely the first wide receiver drafted. He has top-10 talent. Top needs: WR, DT, TE
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Jeffrey McWhorter
Bonitto produced 8.5 sacks in his final seven games as a sophomore. A double-digit sack season wouldn't surprise me as a follow-up. Top needs: CB, LB, OL
Jeffrey McWhorter
Bonitto produced 8.5 sacks in his final seven games as a sophomore. A double-digit sack season wouldn't surprise me as a follow-up. Top needs: CB, LB, OL
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Matthew Putney
Hall finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting after leading the nation in rushing yards (1,572) and 100-yard rushing games (nine). Top needs: RB, LB, OL
Matthew Putney
Hall finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting after leading the nation in rushing yards (1,572) and 100-yard rushing games (nine). Top needs: RB, LB, OL
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Barry Reeger
Wilson was impressive in the slot as a sophomore — 723 yards on 43 receptions and six touchdowns in eight games. He'll have a chance to show what he can do outside this season. Top needs: WR, Edge, LB
Barry Reeger
Wilson was impressive in the slot as a sophomore — 723 yards on 43 receptions and six touchdowns in eight games. He'll have a chance to show what he can do outside this season. Top needs: WR, Edge, LB
Greg Cote: As teams pray for right QB, Packers’ disrespect of MVP Aaron Rodgers is galling
Butch Dill
The Chiefs could pair Wydermyer with Travis Kelce and create all kinds of headaches for defensive coordinators. The 6-5, 260 pound tight end is a reliable blocker and was named as a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2021 after producing 506 yards on 46 receptions and six touchdowns as a sophomore. Top needs: S, WR, Edge
Butch Dill
The Chiefs could pair Wydermyer with Travis Kelce and create all kinds of headaches for defensive coordinators. The 6-5, 260 pound tight end is a reliable blocker and was named as a finalist for the John Mackey Award in 2021 after producing 506 yards on 46 receptions and six touchdowns as a sophomore. Top needs: S, WR, Edge
Effective immediately, the Giants star running back and 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year will be accepting all his marketing and endorsement payments in Bitcoin, the world’s most popular cryptocurrency priced over $30,000 a coin as of July 15.
The announcement comes just over two-and-a-half months after the Giants announced a partnership with cryptocurrency firm Grayscale Investments.
Barkley appeared on “The Best Business Show,” run by Bitcoin shill and cryptocurrency expert Anthony Pompliano, on Wednesday to explain the thought process behind his decision.
“You see inflation, and you see how high it is right now. And you learn that you can’t save your wealth,” Barkley said. “So that’s why I’ll be taking my marketing money in Bitcoin.
“That was my mind, that was my motto before coming into this league. Just live off my marketing money, and now that I see about inflation and learning so much about Bitcoin. … I think it’s just a smart thing to do and the right thing to do to start taking my investment money through Bitcoin and through Strike.”
The Strike app allows users to send and receive Bitcoin and is available in all states except New York and Hawaii.
Barkley has earned $4.5 million in endorsements to date versus $21.3 million of career earnings playing for the Giants, according to Forbes. He has inked sponsorships with Bose, Dunkin Donuts, Nike, Pepsi, Toyota, Visa and Hulu.
Barkley says his goal is to reach the level of wealth that other superstar athletes have reached during their playing careers, and he understands he has to do it off the field due to the nature of his position.
“You know you see the (Kevin Durants), (LeBron Jameses), the (Tom Bradys) of the world, and you want to create generational wealth, and you can’t do that especially in the sport that I play and the position I play and coming off an injury,” Barkley said. “That’s kind of the stuff that kind of makes more sense when you sit out of football for a whole year, you kind of realize that this game can be taken away from you and makes you sit back and think, ‘Damn if i never play a down of football, this is how much I have.’ That’s not enough for generational wealth.”
It’s unclear whether other players will follow in Barkley’s footsteps and take their endorsement money in Bitcoin, too.
“I don’t think I know it’s a conversation that’s being had in locker rooms,” he said, “but I think it’s a conversation that starts with learning, and I’m still learning.”
