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The Seattle Seahawks are on the brink of new ownership as the NFL's finance and ownership policy committees have unanimously approved the sale of the team. The $9.6 billion deal, led by billionaire Vinod Khosla, is set to be voted on by NFL owners next week. The sale marks a record for an NFL franchise and involves the Paul Allen Trust, which has owned the team since the death of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2018.
The Khosla family, who will become the controlling owners, must divest their stake in the San Francisco 49ers as part of the agreement. The NFL has scheduled a one-day meeting on Wednesday (August 26) in Atlanta to finalize the vote on the transaction, as reported by ESPN.
Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Seahawks, saying, "We are honored to be entrusted as the next stewards of the Seattle Seahawks." His wife, Neeru Khosla, will serve as the team's control owner, while their son, Neal Khosla, will have a leadership role, according to Sportico.
The Seahawks, valued at $6.59 billion last year, are being sold by the estate of Paul Allen, with proceeds directed toward charitable causes. The team recently celebrated a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, further enhancing its appeal to potential buyers. The sale is expected to be finalized by the end of August, pending approval from NFL owners, as noted by FOX 13 Seattle.