NFL Owners Approve Seattle Seahawks Sale to Khosla Family

NFL owners unanimously approved the sale of the Seattle Seahawks to the Khosla family in a special meeting held in Atlanta on August 26, 2026, finalizing a record $9.612 billion deal. The sale agreement was reached between the Khosla family and the Paul G. Allen Estate on July 11, marking the highest price ever paid for an NFL franchise, according to nfl.com and ESPN reports. The Seahawks, reigning Super Bowl champions after their February victory over the New England Patriots, have been owned by the Allen family since 1997 when Paul Allen purchased the team for $194 million.

After Paul Allen's death in 2018, ownership passed to his sister, Jody Allen, who managed the franchise until the sale was finalized.

The team has a lease agreement at Lumen Field through 2032, with multiple 10-year renewal options, ensuring the Seahawks will remain in Seattle for the foreseeable future. "This has been them getting in the building," said a league source about the Khosla family’s initial involvement, implying no immediate major changes to the organization are expected, as reported by The New York Times.

"They’re not doing anything until they get in the building," the source added, reflecting the family's current approach to ownership. The Khosla family, led by Vinod and Neeru Khosla, bring significant business experience, with Vinod known as an early Google investor and a prominent figure in artificial intelligence, according to The New York Times.

Neeru Khosla will be the controlling owner, with their son Neal expected to play a key role in the team's future operations. General Manager John Schneider, under contract through 2031, and Head Coach Mike Macdonald, signed through 2029, provide stability to the football operations, noted The New York Times. The sale is only the third NFL franchise transfer in the past decade, following the Carolina Panthers' 2018 sale to David Tepper and the Washington Commanders' 2023 purchase by Josh Harris.

In addition to the sale, NFL owners discussed other league matters during the meeting, including ticketing deals, Pro Football Hall of Fame modernization, media rights, and officiating, as reported by NBC Sports.

Topics such as the recent arrest of San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York and a study on NFL players’ chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) were also expected to surface informally. The Seahawks' roster moves remain a point of interest, particularly the signing status of cornerback Terrion Arnold, whose contract remains pending due to legal issues and roster timing considerations, according to The New York Times.