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The Seattle Seahawks might soon be welcoming a new era under different ownership. Speculation regarding the sale of the franchise has been swirling, and it seems the long-standing whispers are coming closer to reality. According to a report by ESPN on Friday, the team is expected to be listed for sale following the conclusion of the Super Bowl in 2026. This move marks a significant turning point for the team, which has been under scrutiny for potential ownership changes since the passing of former owner Paul Allen in 2018.
Recent discussions have been intensifying at both the ownership and league levels, suggesting that these plans are gaining momentum. Sources have indicated that these talks have been ongoing over the past week, signaling that the groundwork for a sale is being laid.
Experts predict that the sale of the Seahawks could set a new benchmark for NFL franchise valuations, with estimates suggesting a price tag between $7 billion and $8 billion. If realized, this would not only be a record-breaking transaction in the NFL but also underscore the growing financial clout of the league.
Currently, the Seahawks are valued at approximately $6.59 billion, making them the 14th-most valuable team in the NFL, according to Sportico. This substantial valuation is a testament to the team’s enduring popularity and the lucrative nature of professional football.
Sportico values the Seahawks at $6.59 billion, the 14th-most valuable team in the NFL.
Allen’s estate, however, disputed the ESPN report, saying there are no plans to sell the franchise in the near future.
“We don’t comment on rumors or speculation, and the team is not for sale,” a spokesperson for the estate said in a statement, per NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. “We’ve already said that will change at some point per Paul’s wishes, but I have no news to share.
“Our focus right now is winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers in the coming months.”
The Microsoft co-founder’s estate has owned and operated both the Seahawks and the NBA’s Trail Blazers since he died of cancer, with his sister, Jody Allen, controlling the teams as the executor of the trust.
Jody Allen also has a directive from her late brother to sell both of the franchises and donate the proceeds to charity.
If the Seahawks do go up for sale, they will be the first Super Bowl-bound team in history that will be entirely up for sale shortly after the big game, according to ESPN.
The Giants were in a similar situation in 1991 following Super Bowl XXV, with Preston Robert Tisch purchasing 50 percent of the team.