Venture capitalist Vinod Khosla leads $9.6 billion purchase of Seattle Seahawks

The Paul G. Allen estate announced a sale of the Seattle Seahawks to a consortium led by venture capitalist Vinod Khosla for a reported $9.612 billion, the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise. The transaction, announced on July 11, must be ratified by the league’s owners, with a vote expected on Aug. 26.

Khosla, a 71-year-old minority owner of the San Francisco 49ers, said in a statement that the group is "honored to be entrusted as the next stewards of the Seattle Seahawks" and that it intends to build on the team’s recent success. A memo obtained by the Seattle Times indicated that his wife, Neeru Khosla, will serve as the controlling owner, while their son, Neal Khosla, will hold a significant role.

Khosla, who founded Khosla Ventures and has a net worth of about $13.7 billion, joined the 49ers ownership group in 2025, acquiring a 3.1 % stake at a valuation exceeding $8.5 billion. He posted on X that he is "excited to be part of this great franchise" and noted that the sale proceeds will go to a non-profit organization.

The Seahawks were placed on the market less than a month after winning Super Bowl 60, in accordance with Paul Allen’s directive that his sports holdings eventually be sold and the estate’s proceeds directed to philanthropy. Allen bought the team in 1997 for $194 million; ownership passed to his estate after his death in 2018.

The deal surpasses the previous NFL record set in 2023 when a group led by Josh Harris bought the Washington Commanders. It also follows the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 sale for $10 billion, the most expensive transaction in major North American sports.