NFL owners have unanimously approved the record-setting $9.612 billion sale of the Seattle Seahawks to a group led by the family of venture capitalist Vinod Khosla. This vote occurred during a one-day meeting at an Atlanta airport hotel and followed prior unanimous recommendations from key league committees. The purchase marks the end of nearly 30 years of ownership by the estate of late Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen, who acquired the team in 1997 and directed that the franchise be sold after his death in 2018.

Vinod Khosla’s family will take on controlling ownership roles, with his wife Neeru Khosla serving as the principal owner and their son Neal Khosla involved in the ownership structure. Although the Khoslas currently hold a minority stake in the San Francisco 49ers, NFL rules require them to divest this interest as part of the transaction. The full investor group behind the Seahawks has not been disclosed yet, but must have no more than 25 members with the principal owner holding at least a 30% share.

Commissioner Roger Goodell praised the Khosla family’s familiarity with the NFL, the Seattle community, and their expertise in the technology sector, which he believes will contribute positively to the franchise and the league. The new owners inherit a stable team fresh off a Super Bowl victory, helmed by respected executives like John Schneider and coach Mike Macdonald, with the team preparing to open the new season on September 9 against the New England Patriots.

This sale sets a new benchmark for NFL franchise valuations, surpassing the previous record of $6.05 billion paid for the Washington Commanders in 2023. Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems with a net worth estimated by Forbes at $13.4 billion, emphasized a long-term approach focused on winning and building on the franchise’s recent success. The deal is expected to close next month, signaling a new chapter for the Seahawks under Khosla family leadership.