The National Football League (NFL) owners in the United States have unanimously approved the sale of the Seattle Seahawks to a group led by the Khosla family for a record $9.6 billion. This transaction sets a new NFL record for franchise sales and ranks as the second-highest valuation in North American sports history.

The sales agreement was initially announced on July 11 and became official following approval at a special owners' meeting in Atlanta on Wednesday, August 27, 2026. The sale aligns with the wishes of the late Seahawks owner Paul Allen.

Vinod Khosla, a 71-year-old venture capitalist and limited partner of the San Francisco 49ers, expressed his excitement about acquiring the defending Super Bowl champions. “How often do you get to buy a franchise that just won the Super Bowl?” Khosla said alongside his wife Neeru and son Neal. The Seahawks won the Super Bowl by defeating the New England Patriots 29-13 in February 2026.

As part of the purchase agreement, Khosla will relinquish his 3.1 percent stake in the San Francisco 49ers, which he acquired last year at a valuation exceeding $8.5 billion. The Seahawks' new ownership is expected to be finalized before the team opens its season on September 9, 2026, against the Patriots.

Khosla also shared that he was originally a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers when he moved to the United States in 1976.

Additional reports mention ongoing interest from a Jeff Bezos-led consortium in acquiring a stake in Liverpool FC, though this is separate from the Seahawks sale.

Sources