The Seattle Seahawks have been controlled by the estate of former owner Paul G. Allen since his passing in 2018. For years, though, there have been quiet questions about whether the franchise would eventually change hands. Now, just weeks after capturing the second Super Bowl title in franchise history, that possibility has become reality. Allen’s estate has officially begun the sale process.

“The Estate of Paul G. Allen today announced it has commenced a formal sale process for the Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise, consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy,” the Seahawks announced in a statement.

“The Estate has selected investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins to lead the sale process, which is estimated to continue through the 2026 off-season. NFL owners must then ratify a final purchase agreement.”

The confirmation follows earlier reports that the team would go on sale after the Super Bowl. Now, with quarterback Sam Darnold and head coach Mike Macdonald leading Seattle to a championship, the franchise is officially on the market. Here’s the thing: Allen originally purchased the team for $194 million in 1997, preventing a relocation to Southern California. Since his death, his sister Jody Allen has overseen the organization as executor of the trust.

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However, the estate plan always called for an eventual sale of both the Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers, with proceeds directed toward philanthropy.

Sports Business Journal’s Ben Fischer previously reported that Allen & Co. and Latham & Watkins would manage the sale process. The Seahawks have now confirmed that those firms will oversee the transaction. If a buyer emerges, the deal will still require approval from the league. At least 24 of the NFL’s 32 owners must vote in favor of the sale. Without that three-quarters majority, the transaction cannot move forward.

The timing is notable. It is rare in the Super Bowl era for a reigning championship franchise to enter a formal sale process so soon after lifting the Lombardi Trophy. But the decision is not solely about momentum. There were structural and financial factors at play. A clause that previously required 10% of sale proceeds to go to the state of Washington expired in May 2024.

This expiration potentially preserves around $1 billion for the estate, considering the Seahawks’ transaction is now valued between $9 billion and $10 billion.

All of this naturally leads to speculation about potential buyers. One name consistently linked to the franchise is Jeff Bezos.

Will Jeff Bezos purchase the Seahawks?

NFL franchise valuations have surged in recent years. The Seahawks, for instance, were recently valued at $6.59 billion, ranking 14th in the league. The last NFL team to be sold was the Washington Commanders. A group led by Josh Harris purchased the team in 2023 for a record $6.05 billion.

Now that Seattle is formally on the market, industry projections place the potential sale price between $9 billion and $10 billion. While there has been no official confirmation that Jeff Bezos intends to pursue the Seahawks, the Amazon founder continues to be linked as a logical suitor. The reasoning is fairly straightforward.

First, Bezos has previously shown interest in owning an NFL franchise. He was connected to the Commanders’ sale process before ultimately stepping aside. Second, with an estimated net worth of over $200 billion, he clearly has the financial capacity to complete a purchase. Last but not least, Amazon’s headquarters remains deeply tied to Seattle’s business ecosystem, which naturally fuels speculation about a local buyer with both resources and influence. But that’s not where it ends.

In 2022, Jeff Bezos publicly acknowledged his interest in owning an NFL franchise, calling football his “favorite sport.” Speaking to CNN that year, Bezos addressed the swirling ownership rumors with a measured response:

“We’ll just have to wait and see.”

That said, if he does end up buying the team, there is a concern. A potential purchase by Bezos would raise a conflict of interest. He is a major stakeholder in Amazon, whose streaming arm holds the NFL’s rights to Thursday Night Football through Prime Video, making Amazon one of the league’s key media partners.

If he were to complete a purchase, however, he would instantly become the richest owner in professional sports. He would surpass the wealth of the Walton family, who control the Denver Broncos.