The Seattle Seahawks have taken formal steps toward a franchise sale after securing victory in Super Bowl LX.
The Paul G. Allen Trust has retained investment banking firm Allen & Co. and law firm Latham & Watkins to initiate the process of bringing the team to market.
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Industry estimates suggest the Seahawks could command between $9 billion and $11 billion, a figure that would represent a record-setting NFL sale.
Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty Images
Seahawks retain advisors to initiate sale
Ben Fischer of the Sports Business Journal reported that the organisation has put the necessary structures in place to begin a sale effort following years of ownership speculation.
The engagement of Allen & Co. and Latham & Watkins indicates that the Paul G. Allen Trust is moving beyond preliminary discussions and into an active transaction phase.
Paul Allen purchased the franchise in 1997, and after his passing in 2018, control transferred to his sister Jody Allen with the stated intention that the team would eventually be sold and proceeds directed to charitable causes.
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The NFL had previously held off on pushing for a sale until a lease provision expired in May 2024 that would have required 10 percent of proceeds to be shared with Washington state.
Franchise could fetch $9 billion to $11 billion
Coming off a Super Bowl LX title, the Seahawks are viewed as entering the market at a favourable moment.
Valuations circulating within league circles place the potential sale price between $9 billion and $11 billion, which would eclipse the $6.05 billion paid for the Washington Commanders and set a new benchmark for NFL transactions.
On-field success, brand strength, and stadium security are expected to increase competition among prospective buyers.
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Although a formal timeline has not been publicly confirmed, the appointment of financial and legal advisors signals that the sale process is now progressing.
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