Seattle Seahawks sale closes to Vinod Khosla for $9.6 billion

The Paul G. Allen estate confirmed that the Seattle Seahawks franchise has been sold to venture‑capitalist Vinod Khosla and his family for a reported $9.6 billion, setting a new NFL record. The deal follows weeks of a bidding process that had narrowed to two groups: one led by Boston Celtics minority owner Aditya Mittal and former Celtics governor Wyc Grousbeck, and the other headed by Khosla, a minority investor in the San Francisco 49ers. Earlier reports estimated the sale could fetch $8‑10 billion and noted that a former Seahawks player was involved with one of the bids. The Khosla family will divest its 3.1 percent stake in the 49ers to satisfy NFL ownership rules. Khosla said, "We are honored to be entrusted as the next stewards of the Seattle Seahawks and look forward to building on the winning legacy Paul Allen created." The transaction was facilitated by Allen & Company and Latham & Watkins, and still requires ratification by NFL owners before becoming final.