Seattle Seahawks Officially for Sale, But No Plans to Relocate

Fans can breathe easy as the NFL team is expected to remain in the Emerald City despite ownership change.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Seattle Seahawks are officially up for sale after the Paul G. Allen estate announced they would begin the process of selling the team less than two weeks after their Super Bowl LX triumph. While this marks the dawn of a new era for the franchise, there are assurances the team will remain in Seattle despite concerns over a potential "millionaire tax" and the city's past experience with the SuperSonics' relocation.

Why it matters

The sale of the Seahawks is a significant event for the NFL and the city of Seattle, as the team is one of the league's most successful franchises and a beloved part of the local sports landscape. Fans are understandably concerned about the team's future, but experts say the Seahawks are highly unlikely to relocate given the size of the Seattle-Tacoma media market, the team's strong performance, and the existing stadium lease.

The details

The Seahawks' current lease at Lumen Field runs through 2031, with three 10-year extension options. The stadium is also set to receive $20 million in upgrades this year to meet FIFA World Cup standards. Additionally, the NFL has historically been reluctant to allow successful franchises to relocate, as evidenced by the league's intervention when the Seahawks' previous owner tried to move the team to Southern California in the 1990s.

  • The Paul G. Allen estate announced the Seahawks would be put up for sale less than two weeks after the team's Super Bowl LX triumph.
  • The Seahawks' current lease at Lumen Field runs through 2031, with three 10-year extension options.
  • Lumen Field is set to receive $20 million in upgrades this year to meet FIFA World Cup standards.

The players

Paul G. Allen

The late owner of the Seattle Seahawks, whose estate has announced the team will be put up for sale.

Ken Behring

The former owner of the Seahawks who attempted to move the team to Southern California in the mid-1990s, but was forced to sell the franchise by the NFL.

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What’s next

The new owner of the Seahawks will be determined through the sale process, and the team's future in Seattle will continue to be a topic of discussion as the city considers the proposed "millionaire tax" and other potential factors that could impact the franchise.

The takeaway

Despite the change in ownership, the Seattle Seahawks are expected to remain in the Emerald City for the foreseeable future. The team's strong performance, large media market, and existing stadium lease make relocation highly unlikely, providing reassurance to the team's passionate fan base.