Super Bowl champ Seahawks selling for $9.6B
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla and family led a group that has agreed to acquire the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks from the estate of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen for a reported $9.6 billion.
Why it matters: Sports franchise valuations continue to have no ceiling.
Driving the news: ESPN first reported the sale and valuation on Saturday.
- "Excited to be part of this great franchise. Also excited to see the money all go to a non-profit," Khosla wrote on X.
By the numbers: This is the third-highest valuation for a sports team transaction, trailing only the Los Angeles Lakers and Las Vegas Raiders, per data compiled by Axios.
- Allen acquired the team in 1997 for $194 million.
Behind the scenes: After Allen's death in 2018, ownership of the franchise transferred to the estate.
- Allen's sister Jody is executor, with a directive from her brother to sell the Seahawks and the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers over time and donate the proceeds to charity.
What we're watching: NFL owners have been asked to reserve a date in August for a special meeting to approve the deal, ESPN reported.
- Khosla is currently a limited partner in the San Francisco 49ers, and will have to sell that stake, setting a new value on the five-time Super Bowl champions as well.
