Seahawks Sale Rumors Swirl Ahead of Super Bowl

Paul Allen's estate denies ESPN report that the team will be sold after the big game.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 12:15pm

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Citing unnamed sources, ESPN reported that the Seattle Seahawks will go up for sale after the team's appearance in the Super Bowl on Feb. 8. However, the estate of late Seahawks owner Paul Allen has denied the report, stating that the team is not for sale and their focus is on winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Why it matters

The Seahawks have been owned by the Allen family since 1997, and the potential sale of the team would mark a significant shift in the franchise's ownership. This news comes as the Seahawks prepare to compete in the Super Bowl, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the team's big game.

The details

According to the ESPN report, talks between Seahawks ownership and the NFL have been ongoing over the past week about a potential sale. However, a spokesperson for the Paul Allen Estate has denied the report, stating that the team is not for sale and that their focus is on winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers. The Seahawks have been owned by the Allen family since 1997, when Paul Allen purchased the team for $194 million.

  • The Seahawks will play in the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026.
  • Paul Allen, the former owner of the Seahawks, passed away in 2018 from complications of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The players

Paul Allen

The co-founder of Microsoft who owned the Seattle Seahawks from 1997 until his death in 2018.

Jody Allen

The sister of Paul Allen and the current owner of the Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Tom Dundon

The owner of the Carolina Hurricanes who is leading an investment group that has agreed to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers from the Paul Allen Estate.

Mike Macdonald

The head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.

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What they’re saying

“The thing that sticks out to me about Jody was her enthusiasm about where she wanted our team to be, our franchise to be as a vision of the Seattle Seahawks and that was during our interview process. Honestly, that's really where I was like, 'OK, this is something I feel really strongly about, that I think that I could help create that.' So everything, I think, has been through that lens, and it's very clear of what type of team she wants and she's been incredibly supportive.”

— Mike Macdonald, Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks (wcvb.com)

What’s next

The Seahawks will compete in the Super Bowl on February 8, 2026, and the Paul Allen Estate has stated that they will continue to focus on winning the game and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers in the coming months.

The takeaway

The potential sale of the Seattle Seahawks has added an extra layer of intrigue to the team's Super Bowl appearance, but the Paul Allen Estate has denied the reports and stated that their focus remains on the big game and the Trail Blazers sale. This highlights the complex nature of transitioning ownership of major sports franchises, especially those with deep ties to the community.