The Seattle Seahawks are headed to Super Bowl 60, but behind the scenes, there’s a different kind of high-stakes play developing - one that could reshape the franchise’s future. According to league sources, the team is expected to be put up for sale following the Super Bowl.
While the Seahawks prepare for their February 8 showdown with the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, talk of a potential sale has started to swirl. There’s no official timeline for when a deal might happen, but the groundwork appears to be in motion.
The Paul Allen Legacy and What Comes Next
Jody Allen has served as the Seahawks’ controlling owner since 2018, when her brother, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, passed away and left her as the trustee of his estate. That estate includes the Seahawks, the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, and a 25% stake in MLS’s Seattle Sounders.
Paul Allen’s will made it clear: the sports franchises would eventually be sold, with the proceeds directed toward philanthropic efforts. But he didn’t set a public deadline.
On Friday, a spokesperson for the Paul G. Allen estate reiterated that the team is not currently for sale, but also acknowledged that this will change “at some point,” in line with Paul’s wishes. No further details were offered.
Back in July 2022, Jody Allen addressed the topic herself, saying there was no set schedule for selling the teams and that the process of winding down the estate could take “10 to 20 years.” That timeline gave the organization plenty of breathing room - and helped avoid a hefty financial penalty.
Under a 1997 Washington state law tied to the funding of what is now Lumen Field, any sale before May 2024 would’ve triggered a 10% fee. That window has now closed.
Trail Blazers Sale Signals What’s Ahead
In May 2025, Allen initiated the sale of the Trail Blazers, a move that didn’t directly impact the Seahawks or Sounders at the time. By August, she had reached a deal to sell the NBA team to Tom Dundon, owner of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. That transaction may have been the first domino in a broader shift.
Now, with the Seahawks potentially next in line, the question becomes not if, but when.
Inside the Seahawks’ Ownership Structure
Jody Allen has kept a low public profile during her tenure, never holding a press conference and rarely appearing in front of cameras. But make no mistake - she’s been deeply involved. She meets regularly with head coach Mike Macdonald and general manager John Schneider, is present throughout the NFL Draft process, and signs off on all major decisions, from franchise-altering trades to savvy salary cap maneuvers.
An ownership change could have a ripple effect across the organization. From football operations to front office dynamics, new leadership often brings new philosophies. For now, though, everything remains status quo - at least outwardly.
Schneider, who signed a contract extension through 2031 this past July, was asked whether Allen would still be the team’s owner by the end of his deal. His response?
“I have no idea. That’s not my place.”
It was an honest answer - and a telling one.
The Business of NFL Ownership
If the Seahawks are sold, they’ll become the latest in a growing list of NFL franchises to change hands in recent years. The Washington Commanders were sold to Josh Harris and his partners for $6.05 billion in July 2023.
The Denver Broncos went for $4.65 billion to Rob Walton in 2022. Those deals reflect the soaring valuations across the league - and the increasingly exclusive club of potential buyers.
The NFL requires that a controlling owner hold at least 30% of the franchise, and with team values climbing into the billions, the pool of qualified buyers is shrinking fast. Sportico currently estimates the Seahawks’ value at $6.59 billion, ranking 14th among NFL teams.
Paul Allen originally bought the Seahawks in 1997 for around $200 million, rescuing the franchise from a planned move to Anaheim. Under his and Jody Allen’s leadership, the Seahawks have become one of the league’s most consistent contenders: 17 playoff appearances, 11 division titles, four Super Bowl trips, and one Lombardi Trophy - the crowning achievement of the 2013 season.
Now, they’re back in the big game for the first time since the 2014 season. And while the focus is on the field, what happens off it could define the franchise’s next era.
Will the Sale News Be a Distraction?
Let’s be real - the timing of this news isn’t ideal. But if there’s one thing this Seahawks team has shown all season, it’s their ability to stay locked in.
From trash talk to media noise, they’ve shrugged off distractions and handled business. That’s a credit to Macdonald’s leadership and the culture he’s instilled.
After the NFC Championship win over the Rams, Macdonald made it clear: this team is focused on what they can control. That mindset won’t change just because of headlines about ownership.
What Comes After the Super Bowl?
A statement from the estate made the priorities clear: “Our focus right now is winning the Super Bowl and completing the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers in the coming months.” That puts the Seahawks’ potential sale firmly in the “next up” category.
What happens after the confetti falls in Santa Clara will be fascinating to watch. Whether the team hoists its second Lombardi Trophy or not, a new chapter appears to be on the horizon in Seattle - one that could reshape the organization for decades to come.