Khosla family group agrees to purchase Seattle Seahawks for record $9.6 billion

The Seattle Seahawks are slated to be sold to a Khosla family ownership group for $9.612 billion, an NFL record and the second-largest transaction for a North American sports franchise. The deal, which would transfer ownership from the Paul G. Allen Estate, requires approval from at least 24 of the league’s 32 owners and could be finalized as early as Aug. 26.

Natalie Welch, director of Seattle University’s Sport and Entertainment Management MBA program, said the transaction represents a "win all around" for fans and the league. She noted that the sale price reflects the NFL’s expanding media-rights revenue, which provides each team with $432.6 million in 2024 revenue sharing, and is less about on-field performance than the league’s overall cash flow.

The ownership group will be led by Neeru Khosla, who will serve as the controlling owner, with her son Neal Khosla expected to hold a significant leadership role. Their involvement marks the Seahawks as one of ten NFL teams with a woman listed as a sole owner, co-owner, or part of a family ownership group.

While the Khosla family previously held a minority stake in the San Francisco 49ers, Welch said the purchase is a business decision rather than a fandom move. She added that the new owners are unlikely to relocate the team, as the Seahawks have a lease at Lumen Field through 2031, and recent upgrades for the World Cup have highlighted the venue’s value.

Analysts expect the NFL’s media-rights deals to continue growing, potentially boosting franchise valuations further. The sale, if approved, will cement the Seahawks’ place in a league where media revenue is a guaranteed source of income for all teams.