A group led by Indian-origin billionaire, Vinod Khosla, has reached an agreement to acquire the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks.
The NFL franchise confirmed the development on Saturday after the Estate of Paul G. Allen announced through its social media platforms that it had entered into a formal sale agreement with the Khosla family-led ownership group.
The agreement will make the Khosla family the controlling owner of the Seahawks, subject to the approval of NFL team owners.
Vinod Khosla, 71, is the co-founder of Sun Microsystems and has also been a member of the San Francisco 49ers’ ownership group.
“We are honoured to be entrusted as the next stewards of the Seattle Seahawks,” Vinod Khosla said in a separate statement. “We look forward to building on the winning legacy Paul Allen created and to earning the trust of the Seahawks organisation and fans everywhere,” the statement further reads.
The transaction is yet to be finalised, as NFL rules require approval from the league’s owners before any franchise sale can be completed. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to charity in accordance with the wishes of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who died in 2018. His estate has instructed trust executor and sister, Jody Allen, to direct all proceeds from the sale of the Seahawks to charitable causes.
Sharing his thoughts on the acquisition, the India-born billionaire expressed optimism about the development. “Excited to be part of this great franchise,” Vinod Khosla posted on social media. “Also excited to see the money all go to a non-profit. No other comments till the sale is final.”
Although neither party disclosed the financial details of the transaction, an ESPN report citing unnamed sources valued the deal at $9.612 billion. If confirmed, the purchase would become the highest-priced sale of an NFL franchise in league history.
The current record for an NFL team sale was set in 2023 when the Washington Commanders changed hands for $6.05 billion. Before the Seahawks acquisition can be completed, the Khosla family is expected to divest its ownership interest in the rival San Francisco 49ers. ESPN reported that the process is anticipated to be concluded ahead of the league’s meeting scheduled for next month.
