Paul Allen's estate begins process to sell Seattle Seahawks

The Super Bowl champion team is up for sale after the passing of longtime owner Paul Allen.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The estate of the late Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft and longtime owner of the Seattle Seahawks, has announced that it has begun the process of selling the NFL franchise. Investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins will lead the sales process, which is expected to continue through the offseason. The sale is consistent with Allen's directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all estate proceeds to philanthropy.

Why it matters

The Seahawks have been a beloved part of the Seattle sports landscape since Paul Allen purchased the team in 1997. The sale of the franchise represents the end of an era and raises questions about the team's future ownership and direction under new leadership.

The details

The Seahawks were purchased by Paul Allen in 1997 for $194 million. Since Allen's passing in 2018, the team has been owned by his sister, Jody Allen. The estate has also agreed to sell the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, another team previously owned by Paul Allen, to an investment group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon.

  • Paul Allen purchased the Seahawks in 1997.
  • Paul Allen passed away in 2018.
  • The Seahawks estate announced the sale process on February 18, 2026.

The players

Paul Allen

The co-founder of Microsoft and longtime owner of the Seattle Seahawks, who passed away in 2018.

Jody Allen

The sister of Paul Allen and the current owner of the Seahawks since her brother's passing.

Tom Dundon

The owner of the Carolina Hurricanes who is leading an investment group to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers from the Allen estate.

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What’s next

NFL owners must ratify the final purchase agreement before the sale of the Seahawks can be completed.

The takeaway

The sale of the Seahawks marks the end of an era for one of the NFL's most successful franchises over the past two decades. The new ownership group will have the opportunity to shape the team's future direction and continue the Seahawks' legacy of excellence on the field.