Fresh off a Super Bowl title, the Seattle Seahawks are officially up for sale.
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The Paul G. Allen Estate announced Wednesday that it has begun a formal sale process for the franchise, following the directive laid out in Allen's will after his death in 2018.
The timing is remarkable. Seattle just beat New England 29-13 on February 8 to win Super Bowl LX, delivering the franchise its second Lombardi Trophy. According to ESPN, this marks the first time in the Super Bowl era that a team has gone on the market so soon after playing in the championship game.
Ownership was always headed this way. Allen's will specified that both the Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers would eventually be sold, with all proceeds going toward philanthropy. His sister, Jody Allen, has overseen both franchises as chair of the estate since then.
The estate has hired Allen and Company along with law firm Latham and Watkins to handle the process. The sale is expected to stretch through the 2026 offseason, with final approval required from NFL owners.
Commissioner Roger Goodell referenced the will during Super Bowl week when asked about Seattle's future, noting the league was aware of the long-term plan. He also pushed back on a report suggesting the Seahawks faced a $5 million fine over ownership structure issues, saying the matter was being held in abeyance.
Meanwhile, the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers sale is already moving. Estate vice chair Bert Kolde said during Super Bowl week that deal is on track to close this spring.
For Seattle, the question now is simple: Who buys a reigning champion, and what comes next once the confetti settles?
