The Seattle Seahawks are preparing to put the franchise up for sale following Super Bowl LX, a move that would finally close years of uncertainty surrounding the team’s ownership future.
League and ownership sources say sale discussions have occurred at both the NFL and ownership levels over the past week. The timing matches long-standing plans to sell the team following the 2018 death of former owner Paul G. Allen.
Since Paul Allen passed away, his estate has controlled the Seahawks, with his sister Jody Allen serving as the trust’s executor. Allen directed the sale of both the Seahawks and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, with the proceeds dedicated to philanthropic cause
Neither the NFL nor the Seahawks commented on the reported timeline, though the organization has consistently referenced Allen’s prior public statements acknowledging an eventual sale.
The franchise has now passed the point at which a sale would have required sharing a portion of the proceeds with the state of Washington. If the deal moves forward, it would represent a rare moment in league history, marking the first time in the Super Bowl era that a team appearing in the championship game goes up for sale shortly afterward.
Allen originally purchased the Seahawks from Ken Behring in the mid-1990s, a deal that prevented the franchise from relocating to Southern California. Three decades later, the organization is positioned to command a record-setting valuation. This boosted by consistent on-field success and a recent Super Bowl appearance.
Seattle has reached the playoffs seven times over the past decade and plays at Lumen Field, one of the league’s most recognized home-field environments. The stadium is also undergoing significant upgrades ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The franchise’s leadership structure strengthens its appeal even further. General manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald form one of the NFL’s most respected front-office pairings. Since Macdonald arrived, Seattle has produced 10- and 14-win regular seasons and advanced to its fourth Super Bowl.
Sports franchise values continue to surge. Sportico recently valued the Seahawks at $6.59 billion, though league executives believe the final sale price could reach $7–8 billion. For comparison, the Washington Commanders sold in 2023 for $6.05 billion to a group led by Josh Harris, while the Los Angeles Lakers reached a $10 billion valuation in a majority-stake sale last year.
The Allen estate is also moving forward with the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers, with a group led by Tom Dundon, who owns the Carolina Hurricanes, agreeing to purchase the team for more than $4 billion.
Jody Allen has largely avoided public appearances during her tenure overseeing the Seahawks, though she addressed fans following the NFC Championship Game, emphasizing pride in the organization and its supporters.
No formal announcement has surfaced yet, but all signs point toward an ownership transition that would usher in a new era for one of the NFL’s flagship franchises.