The Seattle Seahawks have been sold in a landmark NFL transaction, setting a new league record with a $9.612 billion sale price. The acquisition is led by Vinod Khosla, a minority investor in the San Francisco 49ers and founder of venture-capital firm Khosla Ventures, whose net worth approaches $14 billion. Khosla’s purchase surpasses the previous NFL record of $6.05 billion, established in 2023 by the group led by Josh Harris for the Washington Commanders. While not the highest-priced change of control in professional sports—that remains the Los Angeles Lakers’ $10 billion sale to Mark Walter’s group—the Seahawks deal ranks as the second-largest transaction in sports history.

This sale concludes a thorough, five-month process managed by Allen & Company, which generated robust interest from at least six suitors and involved four competitive bids. The Khosla group emerged as the preferred buyer over other finalists, including one led by former Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck and minority Celtics investor Aditya Mittal. NFL approval will be required through a review by the league finance committee and a subsequent vote by team owners, needing a three-quarters majority to finalize the deal. Key ownership roles will be held by Vinod Khosla’s family: Neeru Khosla will serve as controlling owner, with their son Neal Khosla playing a significant leadership role.

The sale aligns with the wishes of the late Paul Allen, who purchased the Seahawks for $194 million in 1997 and stipulated in his will that his sports holdings be eventually sold, with proceeds directed toward his charitable foundation. The estate had previously put the team up for sale in February shortly after the Seahawks secured their second Super Bowl championship in franchise history. Along with the Seahawks, Allen’s estate recently sold the Portland Trail Blazers and still holds a 25% stake in MLS’s Seattle Sounders, which must also be divested over time. Trustees of the foundation will manage the allocation of the charitable proceeds in due course.

Vinod Khosla’s acquisition requires him to divest his minority stake in the 49ers, owned since May 2025, to comply with NFL ownership rules. Though reports suggested a former Seahawks player might join the ownership group, this has not been confirmed. The transaction underscores the continued surge in NFL franchise valuations and the competitive landscape for team ownership, reflecting football’s growing prominence as a valuable sports asset class. The details of the philanthropic plans tied to the sale will be shared once finalized by the Paul Allen Estate trustees.