The estate of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has reached a formal agreement to sell the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks to the Khosla family for a historic $9.612 billion. The transaction sets a new record for the most expensive franchise sale in NFL history and stands as one of the largest team acquisitions in global sports.
The blockbuster deal shatters the previous NFL record of $6.05 billion, set during the sale of the Washington Commanders in 2023.
The purchasing group is spearheaded by Silicon Valley venture capitalist Vinod Khosla. However, in compliance with stringent NFL ownership protocols, his wife, Neeru Khosla, will officially serve as the franchise’s controlling owner, holding primary decision-making authority. Their son, Neal Khosla, is also part of the family consortium and is slated for a major executive leadership role.
The acquisition faces one immediate regulatory hurdle. The Khosla family purchased a 3.1% minority stake in the San Francisco 49ers in May 2025. Because NFL regulations strictly prohibit cross-ownership or holding financial interests in multiple franchises, the family must fully divest their 49ers stake before the Seattle purchase can be finalized.
For the Paul Allen estate, the multi-billion-dollar transaction fulfills a long-standing philanthropic directive. Allen, who bought the Seahawks in 1997 for $194 million to prevent the team from relocating, passed away in 2018. His sister and trustee, Jody Allen, was tasked with eventually liquidating his sports assets for charity.
Taking to social media, Vinod Khosla expressed his pride in taking over stewardship of the franchise, adding that 100% of the $9.612 billion in sales proceeds will be funneled directly into non-profit and charitable causes, as dictated by Allen’s will.
Despite the transition to California-based ownership, the Seahawks’ immediate future in the Pacific Northwest remains secure. The franchise is legally locked into its lease at Lumen Field through 2032, and the agreement features three additional 10-year extension options to prolong their stay. Furthermore, league regulations provide a strict safety net, as any permanent relocation would require supermajority approval from at least 24 of the NFL’s 32 team owners, making a move highly unlikely.
The transaction is currently undergoing standard due diligence by the NFL’s Finance and Ownership Committees, which are auditing the Khosla family’s legal and financial architecture.
NFL team owners have been instructed to reserve August 26, 2026, for a formal ratification vote. The deal requires approval from 24 of the 32 franchises to pass. If cleared as anticipated, the Khosla family will assume full operational control before the kickoff of the 2026 NFL regular season.