The Seattle Seahawks are preparing for their fourth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history-a moment that should be all about football, legacy, and the chase for another Lombardi Trophy. But behind the scenes, there’s a seismic shift quietly taking shape.
According to multiple league and ownership sources, the team is expected to be put up for sale following Super Bowl LX, signaling the end of an era that began nearly three decades ago under the late Paul G. Allen.
This isn't exactly a bolt from the blue. Ever since Allen passed away in 2018, questions have lingered about when the Seahawks might change hands.
Now, it appears that moment is drawing near. Discussions about a potential sale have reportedly been active at both the ownership and league levels over the past week.
Still, the official word from the Paul G. Allen estate is that nothing is imminent.
In a statement, a spokesperson said, *“We don’t comment on rumors and speculation, and the team is not for sale. We’ve already said that will change at some point per Paul’s wishes, but I have no news to share.
Our focus right now is winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers in the coming months.” *
The Trail Blazers, also part of Allen’s sports empire, are currently in the process of being sold for over $4 billion to a group led by billionaire Tom Dundon, who owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. That sale appears to be the first domino in a larger plan to fulfill Allen’s posthumous directive to eventually sell off his major sports holdings, with proceeds earmarked for charitable causes.
Paul Allen bought the Seahawks in 1997 for $200 million-a move that effectively saved the team from being relocated to Anaheim. Since then, Seattle has evolved into one of the NFL’s more consistent winners, with regular playoff appearances and now two Super Bowl berths under its belt. That kind of sustained success doesn’t just build a fanbase-it builds franchise value.
And speaking of value, the numbers being floated are massive. Following the $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders in 2023, insiders believe the Seahawks could command a price tag in the neighborhood of $8 billion. That’s not just a big number-it’s a reflection of the team’s stature, its market, and the financial muscle of the NFL in 2026.
One key detail that clears the path for a sale: as of May 2024, the Seahawks are no longer obligated to give 10 percent of their sale price to the state of Washington. That clause was tied to a public referendum that helped fund the construction of Lumen Field. With that agreement now expired, the road to a sale is wide open, even if there’s no hard deadline.
So while the Seahawks are laser-focused on trying to bring another championship back to Seattle, the franchise’s long-term future is quietly being reshaped behind closed doors. It’s a rare moment where on-field success and off-field transition intersect.
If this indeed turns out to be the team’s final chapter under the Allen estate, it would be fitting for it to end on a high note-with confetti falling and another Lombardi Trophy in hand. The “when” of the sale has always been the question. Now, it seems the answer is coming into view.