Seattle Tech Titans Eye Seahawks Ownership

As the Seahawks go up for sale, local billionaires could make a play for the NFL franchise.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Seattle Seahawks, owned by the estate of Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen, have officially commenced a formal sale process. This has sparked speculation about who might purchase the NFL team, with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and other prominent Seattle tech leaders emerging as potential suitors.

Why it matters

The sale of the Seahawks represents a rare opportunity for a deep-pocketed local owner to acquire a major professional sports franchise in the Seattle area. This could have significant implications for the team's future, including potential investments, leadership changes, and the team's relationship with the community.

The details

The Seahawks have been owned by the Allen family since Paul G. Allen purchased the team in 1997. Following Allen's death in 2018, the team is now being sold by his sister Jody Allen, who oversees his estate. While Jeff Bezos has been linked to NFL ownership in the past, he has not publicly commented on the Seahawks sale. Other Seattle tech leaders, such as former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and current Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, have already invested in local sports franchises, making them potential candidates to acquire the Seahawks.

  • The Seahawks announced the formal sale process on February 19, 2026.
  • In 2023, Jeff Bezos was reported to have hired an investment firm to explore a bid for the Washington Commanders, but was ultimately outbid.
  • In 2024, Steve Ballmer and his wife were asked about potentially buying the Seahawks, to which Ballmer replied, "we've got enough sports."

The players

Jody Allen

The sister of Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen, who is overseeing the sale of the Seahawks as part of the Allen estate.

Jeff Bezos

The founder and former CEO of Amazon, who has been linked to potential NFL ownership in the past but has not publicly commented on the Seahawks sale.

Steve Ballmer

The former Microsoft CEO who purchased the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 and has been asked about potentially buying the Seahawks.

Satya Nadella

The current CEO of Microsoft, who is an investor in Major League Cricket and a co-owner of the Seattle Orcas.

John Stanton

The founder of the telecommunications company VoiceStream, who was a minority owner of the Seattle Mariners and is part of the team's current ownership group.

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What they’re saying

“He and his next wife would have a good time with that.”

— Kathy Ballmer, Wife of Steve Ballmer (60 Minutes)

“We've got enough sports.”

— Steve Ballmer (60 Minutes)

What’s next

The Seahawks organization has not provided a timeline for the sale process, but it is expected to attract significant interest from local and national investors.

The takeaway

The sale of the Seahawks presents a unique opportunity for a Seattle-based billionaire to acquire a beloved local sports franchise and potentially shape its future direction. The involvement of tech leaders in the city's sports landscape could signal a new era of local ownership and investment in the region's professional teams.