Seattle Seahawks to be sold after Super Bowl win

Paul Allen's estate begins process of selling NFL team less than 2 weeks after championship victory

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Seattle Seahawks are going up for sale in accordance with the wishes of late team owner Paul Allen. Allen's estate announced Wednesday that it has begun the process of selling the team, which is coming off its second Super Bowl victory in franchise history. Investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins will lead the sales process, which is estimated to continue through the offseason. NFL owners must then ratify a final purchase agreement.

Why it matters

The Seahawks have been owned by the Allen family since 1997, when Paul Allen bought the team for $194 million. Allen was critical in keeping the Seahawks in Seattle, and the team is expected to remain in the city after the sale is finalized. The sale of the Seahawks marks the end of an era for the franchise and the city of Seattle.

The details

The estate said the sale is consistent with Allen's directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all estate proceeds to philanthropy. The Seahawks have a lease at Lumen Field that runs through 2032 with three 10-year options, ensuring the team will remain in Seattle. The last NFL team to be sold was the Washington Commanders in 2023 for a record $6.05 billion.

  • The Seahawks won the Super Bowl less than 2 weeks ago.
  • The sale process began on February 18, 2026.

The players

Paul Allen

The late co-founder of Microsoft who owned the Seahawks since 1997.

Jody Allen

Paul Allen's sister, who has owned the Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers since his death in 2018.

Roger Goodell

The NFL Commissioner who commended the Allen estate on its ownership of the Seahawks.

Josh Harris

The leader of the investment group that bought the Washington Commanders in 2023 for a record $6.05 billion.

Tom Dundon

The owner of the Carolina Hurricanes who is leading the investment group buying the Portland Trail Blazers.

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What they’re saying

“They're in the Super Bowl, and I think from that standpoint they've done a really important job in the context of the trust and the execution of that. But eventually the team will need to be sold in accordance with that. That will be Jody's decision for when she does that, and we will be supportive of that.”

— Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner (wral.com)

What’s next

The sales process is estimated to continue through the offseason, and NFL owners must then ratify a final purchase agreement.

The takeaway

The sale of the Seahawks marks the end of an era for the franchise and the city of Seattle, as the team has been owned by the Allen family since 1997. The new owner will have the opportunity to build on the team's recent Super Bowl success and continue to keep the Seahawks in Seattle.