Seahawks Celebrate Super Bowl Win Amid Looming Ownership Change
The Seattle Seahawks just reached the NFL mountaintop again, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy for the second time in franchise history. But while the confetti was still falling and players soaked in the moment, the celebration carried a bit of an awkward undertone-because this might be the final time this version of Seahawks leadership gets to hold the hardware.
Jody Allen, standing in as the team’s ownership representative, accepted the trophy on behalf of the organization. It was a proud moment for Seattle, a city that’s waited over a decade to see its team crowned champions again. But behind the scenes, the Seahawks are heading toward a significant transition.
According to reports, the franchise is expected to be put up for sale this offseason. That would mark the end of an eight-year stretch under the stewardship of the Paul G. Allen Trust-an era that began after the death of longtime owner and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2018.
Who Currently Owns the Seahawks?
Technically, the Seahawks are owned by the Paul G. Allen Trust.
Paul Allen purchased the team back in 1997 and was a hands-on owner who helped reshape the franchise into a perennial contender. After his passing, control of the trust-and by extension, the team-was handed to his sister, Jody Allen, who was named executor and trustee.
Since then, Jody has served as the public face of the Seahawks' ownership. Her official title is “Chair of the Seattle Seahawks,” and she’s also the chair and co-founder of the Vale Group, a private holding company she and her brother launched together.
Why Is the Team Being Sold?
The expectation that the Seahawks would eventually be sold has been in place since Paul Allen’s death. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made it clear in the years following Allen’s passing that a sale was likely, if not inevitable. And now, with a Super Bowl title secured and the franchise in a strong position both on and off the field, the timing seems right for the trust to begin the process.
This isn’t a sudden decision. It’s part of a broader plan to wind down the trust’s ownership of Allen’s major assets, which also includes the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. The Seahawks' sale would be a major move, not just for the organization, but for the league as a whole-given the franchise’s success, loyal fanbase, and presence in a key media market.
Who Is Jody Allen?
Jody Allen has been the steward of her brother’s legacy since his passing. Though not as publicly visible as some NFL owners, she’s played a critical role in maintaining the Seahawks’ stability over the past several years. Her leadership helped guide the organization through a coaching transition, a quarterback change, and now, a championship run.
While she doesn’t personally own the team in the traditional sense, she’s been the decision-maker for the Paul G. Allen Trust. That trust controls an estimated $20 billion in assets, and while Jody herself isn’t worth that full amount, she’s been managing one of the most valuable portfolios in sports and entertainment.
What Comes Next?
For now, Seahawks fans are rightly focused on the celebration. Winning a Super Bowl is the ultimate goal, and this team earned it the hard way.
But change is on the horizon. The sale of the franchise will mark the end of an era that began with Paul Allen’s vision and continued under Jody Allen’s stewardship.
Whoever steps in next will inherit a team with a championship pedigree, a passionate fanbase, and a front office that’s proven it can build a winner. The Lombardi is heading back to Seattle-but so is a new chapter in the franchise’s story.
Stay tuned. The Seahawks may have just finished one journey, but another one is about to begin.