In the NFL, ownership styles run the gamut-from the ever-present, camera-ready personalities to those who prefer to lead from the shadows. The Dallas Cowboys have Jerry Jones, a household name as much for his media presence as for his role in shaping the team. The Seattle Seahawks, on the other hand, have Jody Allen-someone whose name might not ring a bell for many fans outside the Pacific Northwest.
But that’s starting to change.
Since taking over as chair of the Seahawks following the passing of her brother, Paul Allen, in 2018, Jody Allen has largely kept a low profile. She’s rarely been in the spotlight, and for the most part, that seemed intentional. But during the Seahawks’ NFC Championship win over the Los Angeles Rams, Allen stepped into the national spotlight in a big way-raising the 12 Flag before kickoff and later appearing in a live, on-field interview on FOX as Seattle punched its ticket to the Super Bowl.
It was a rare public moment, but make no mistake-Allen’s influence on this Seahawks team runs much deeper than a ceremonial flag raise or a brief TV appearance. According to head coach Mike Macdonald, she’s been a steady, guiding force behind the scenes throughout the team’s journey.
Macdonald, who joined the Seahawks a year ago, spoke about his early connection with Allen during an interview on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk. From the outset, he said, there was a shared vision-a mutual understanding of what kind of team they were trying to build and what it should mean to the city of Seattle.
“We got to spend some time together, just her and I,” Macdonald recalled. “You could feel what she wanted for this team and for our city, and I got excited about that because it was like we shared that vision about what we’re trying to get to.”
That early connection didn’t just set the tone for their working relationship-it helped shape the culture Macdonald has tried to instill in the locker room. And as the team weathered its share of challenges over the past year-from tough roster decisions to growing pains on the field-Allen’s support never wavered.
“She’s just been incredibly supportive throughout the whole thing,” Macdonald said. “We’ve made some tough decisions here and we’ve gone through some not-so-great points last year and some growing pains and things like that. I’ve just always felt like she’s just been steadfast in support and just wanting to just keep growing.”
That kind of backing matters. In a league where pressure mounts quickly and patience can be in short supply, having an owner who believes in the process-who sees the long-term vision and sticks with it-is invaluable. Macdonald stopped short of calling it patience, but he made it clear that Allen’s conviction in the type of team they’re building has been a driving force behind their success.
“She felt very strong about what type of team that we should be,” he said. “A team that our city and the 12s are gonna be proud of. All those things that we’re trying to create now-really, she’s a driving force behind it, and it’s awesome.”
So while Jody Allen may not be a household name just yet, her impact on this Super Bowl-bound Seahawks squad is undeniable. She’s not just steering the ship from behind the scenes-she’s helping chart the course. And as the Seahawks prepare for the biggest game of the year, it’s clear that her vision is very much part of what’s gotten them here.