The Seattle Seahawks have been sold for a record $9.6 billion, marking the highest sale price for an NFL franchise to date. The deal was announced on July 11 by the estate of Paul G. Allen, the Microsoft co-founder who purchased the team in 1997 and passed away in 2018. The buyer is a group led by venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, who also holds a minority ownership stake in the San Francisco 49ers.

According to a memo reportedly sent to NFL teams, Neeru Khosla, Vinod Khosla’s wife, will serve as the controlling owner of the Seahawks, with their son Neal Khosla playing a significant role in the organization. Vinod Khosla, a Stanford MBA graduate and founder of Khosla Ventures, has a net worth estimated at $13.7 billion. He disclosed the pending sale on the social media platform X, expressing enthusiasm about joining the Seahawks franchise and noting that all proceeds from the sale will be directed to nonprofit causes.

The final sale price of $9.612 billion surpasses the previous NFL record set in 2023 when Josh Harris’s ownership group purchased the Washington Commanders. In the broader context of North American professional sports, the Seahawks' sale remains just below the 2025 sale of the Los Angeles Lakers, which closed at $10 billion, setting the overall record.

The Seahawks were officially placed on the market shortly after their Super Bowl 60 victory over the New England Patriots in February. The team’s sale reflects Paul Allen’s directive, as outlined by his estate, to eventually sell his sports holdings and allocate the proceeds to philanthropy. Upon Allen’s death at age 65, ownership transferred to his estate, managed by his sister Jody Allen.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald commented on the sale in the lead-up to the Super Bowl, stating that the potential change in ownership had not affected his role or the team’s operations since he joined the organization two years prior.

The transaction remains subject to approval by the NFL owners, with a vote expected to take place on August 26. If approved, the Khosla-led ownership group will take control of the franchise, continuing the legacy established under Allen’s stewardship.