Seahawks Reportedly Getting Close to Sale After Super Bowl LX Win

The Paul G. Allen Trust is preparing to sell the franchise following the Super Bowl win, a move that would end years of speculation since the Microsoft co-founder's death.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Seattle Seahawks won their second Lombardi Trophy by beating the New England Patriots 29–13 in Super Bowl LX. However, the championship adds another layer to what's become an increasingly complicated ownership situation in Seattle. Since Paul Allen's death in 2018, his sister, Jody Allen, has managed the franchise as the trust's executor, but the billionaire's estate plan always included an eventual sale of both the Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers, with proceeds allocated for charitable donations.

Why it matters

A sale of the Seahawks would mark the first controlling stake available since private equity was allowed to buy stakes in NFL teams in 2024, increasing the number of potential bidders. The franchise's value has skyrocketed since Paul Allen purchased the team for $194 million in 1997, and a sale at the new valuation would easily shatter the $6.05 billion record set by the Washington Commanders in 2023.

The details

According to NFL and ownership sources, the Paul G. Allen Trust is preparing to sell the franchise following the Super Bowl win, a move that would end years of speculation since the Microsoft co-founder's death. Investment banker Allen & Co. and law firm Latham & Watkins will lead the process for the trust, the same team that handled the not-quite-closed sale of the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers to a Tom Dundon-led group.

  • The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX on February 16, 2026.
  • Paul Allen purchased the Seahawks in 1997 for $194 million.
  • A clause requiring 10% of sale proceeds to go to Washington state expired in May 2024.

The players

Jody Allen

Paul Allen's sister, who has managed the Seahawks franchise as the trust's executor since his death in 2018.

Paul Allen

The Microsoft co-founder who purchased the Seahawks in 1997 to prevent a move to Southern California. His estate plan always included an eventual sale of both the Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers, with proceeds allocated for charitable donations.

Tom Dundon

The lead of the group that is in the process of acquiring the Portland Trail Blazers from the Paul G. Allen Trust.

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What they’re saying

“Multiple sources tell me that investment banker Allen & Co. and law firm Latham & Watkins will lead the process for the trust.”

— Ben Fischer, Journalist (Yardbarker)

“That means we'll have the same the lead players on the trust's not-quite-closed sale of the NBA's Trail Blazers to a Tom Dundon-led group. (One point to emphasize on the lawyers: Hogan & Lovells was the sell-side firm, but the lead partner, Matt Eisler, moved to Latham last month.)”

— Ben Fischer, Journalist (Yardbarker)

What’s next

The sale of the Seahawks franchise is expected to be finalized in the coming months following the team's Super Bowl LX victory.

The takeaway

The sale of the Seahawks would mark a significant shift in NFL ownership, as it would be the first controlling stake available since private equity firms were allowed to buy stakes in teams in 2024. The franchise's skyrocketing value, now estimated between $9 billion and $11 billion, is a testament to the team's success and the growing value of NFL franchises.