Khosla Family Completes US$9.612bn Seahawks Takeover

NFL owners have unanimously approved the sale of the Seattle Seahawks to the Khosla family for US$9.612 billion, establishing a new franchise-sale record for the league.

The acquisition surpasses the US$6.05 billion paid for the Washington Commanders in 2023 and is the second-largest transaction in North American sport. The Los Angeles Lakers were sold for US$10 billion in 2025 and have subsequently carried a higher valuation through another proposed ownership transaction.

Neeru Khosla will become the Seahawks’ controlling owner. Her husband, Vinod Khosla, co-founded Sun Microsystems and later established Khosla Ventures. Their son Neal is expected to take a significant role in the franchise’s operations.

Vinod Khosla must relinquish the 3.1% interest he acquired in the San Francisco 49ers during 2025 before the Seahawks transaction closes. NFL rules prevent an owner from retaining positions in two competing franchises.

The seller is the estate of Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen, who bought the Seahawks for US$194 million in 1997 and helped prevent the franchise from relocating. Allen’s will directed that his assets should eventually be sold and the proceeds distributed to charitable causes.

The approved price is almost 50 times Allen’s original purchase value and provides the latest evidence of how scarce NFL ownership positions, national media revenues and institutional demand continue to drive franchise valuations.