The Seattle Seahawks could potentially be placed on the market following their participation in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2024. According to insights from two NFL team owners, Jody Allen, the chair of the Seahawks, is believed to be ready to sell the franchise. Discussions among owners suggest that the sale process might commence shortly after the Super Bowl, although the exact timing remains uncertain.
The Seahawks will compete against the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California. ESPN reported that an official announcement regarding the sale is expected soon after the Super Bowl, although no formal decision has been made public.
The franchise has been under the control of the trust established by the late owner Paul Allen since his death in 2018. Jody Allen, serving as the trustee, has acted as the de facto owner. She also chairs the NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers, under similar circumstances. A spokesperson for the Paul G. Allen Estate issued a statement on Friday, insisting that the Seahawks are not currently for sale. “We don’t comment on rumors or speculation,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing that the focus remains on winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Trail Blazers, which is also in progress.
The estate announced in May that it had begun the process of selling the Trail Blazers, aligning with Paul Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct the proceeds to philanthropy. The estate has engaged Allen & Company and law firm Hogan Lovells to oversee the sale. In August, a group led by Tom Dundon, owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, reached an agreement to purchase the Trail Blazers at an estimated valuation of approximately $4.25 billion, although the sale remains pending.
The Seahawks have a current valuation of approximately $7 billion, as reported by CNBC in its 2025 NFL franchise rankings, placing them 19th among the league’s 32 teams. If sold, their price is likely to exceed the NFL-record $6.05 billion paid by a group led by private equity investor Josh Harris for the Washington Commanders in 2023.
While some NFL owners have previously expressed the view that the league should encourage Jody Allen to sell the Seahawks, there has been little eagerness from the league to intervene. The franchise’s value continues to appreciate, and Jody Allen has stated her commitment to fulfilling her brother’s vision for the team. “I will do all that I can to ensure that Paul’s vision is realized, not just for years, but for generations,” she remarked following Paul Allen’s passing.
Jody Allen remains largely out of the public eye but did honor the team’s passionate fan base by raising the “12” flag before the Seahawks’ NFC championship victory over the Los Angeles Rams. This marks Seattle’s return to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2014 season, when they lost to the Patriots in a dramatic finish, denying them a second consecutive championship.
Earlier this year, the Seahawks parted ways with head coach Pete Carroll, appointing Mike Macdonald as his successor. Macdonald is now leading the Seahawks in his second season, with a strong roster that includes general manager John Schneider and quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract in free agency last season.
If a sale were to occur before May 2024, the Seahawks would have owed 10 percent of the sale price to the state of Washington, as stipulated by a 1997 referendum that funded the construction of what is now called Lumen Field. That provision no longer applies, potentially easing the path for a sale.
While speculation around potential buyers includes Jeff Bezos, the Amazon founder’s recent move to Miami has led to skepticism regarding his interest in the franchise. Bezos, who has an estimated net worth of $250 billion, previously explored a bid for the Commanders in 2023 but did not follow through. His involvement in the Seahawks’ bidding process remains uncertain as he has not publicly commented on any potential interest.
In conclusion, the future of the Seattle Seahawks hangs in the balance as they prepare for the Super Bowl, with the possibility of a franchise sale looming in the aftermath. The upcoming events will undoubtedly shape the narrative surrounding the team and its ownership in the months to come.
