Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla agrees to buy Seattle Seahawks for record $9.612 billion

The Seattle Seahawks are set to enter a new era after a group led by Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla agreed to purchase the franchise for a reported $9.612 billion, a deal that would establish a new record for an NFL team sale. The transaction, which still requires approval from at least 24 of the league’s 32 owners, surpasses the previous record of $6.05 billion paid for the Washington Commanders in 2023.

The sale marks the end of the Paul Allen era nearly three decades after the Microsoft co-founder purchased the Seahawks for $194 million in 1997, preventing the team from relocating from Seattle.

Record-breaking sale marks a new chapter

The acquisition is being led by Vinod Khosla and his son, Neal Khosla, although the full investor group has not yet been disclosed. Like most NFL ownership transactions, the purchase is expected to include additional minority investors alongside limited league-approved financing.

In a statement announcing the agreement, Khosla said:

“We are honored to be entrusted as the next stewards of the Seattle Seahawks. We look forward to building on the winning legacy Paul Allen created and to earning the trust of the Seahawks organization and fans everywhere.”

According to multiple reports, NFL owners are expected to review the transaction during a special meeting later this summer, with both sides hoping to complete the sale before the start of the regular season.

Who is Vinod Khosla?

Silicon Valley billionaire Vinod Khosla is leading the investment group purchasing the Seattle Seahawks. (Image via Khosla Ventures)

Born in India, Vinod Khosla is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. He co-founded Sun Microsystems in 1982 before later establishing Khosla Ventures, an investment firm known for backing high-profile technology companies, including OpenAI, DoorDash, Instacart, Stripe, and Impossible Foods.

Forbes currently estimates Khosla’s net worth at around $14 billion, making him one of the wealthiest investors in the technology industry.

One of the biggest hurdles before the deal closes involves the Khosla family’s existing ownership stake in the San Francisco 49ers. Vinod and Neal Khosla acquired a 3.1% minority interest in the franchise in 2025.

Because NFL rules prohibit ownership stakes in multiple teams, the family will be required to sell its entire interest in the 49ers before taking control of the Seahawks. The move is particularly notable because Seattle and San Francisco are NFC West division rivals.

Paul Allen’s investment delivered extraordinary returns

Paul Allen’s purchase of the Seahawks was initially driven by a desire to keep the franchise in Seattle after relocation concerns emerged in the 1990s. Under his ownership, the organization became one of the NFL’s most successful franchises, reaching multiple Super Bowls and winning championships while significantly increasing its financial value.

The agreed $9.612 billion sale price represents nearly 50 times Allen’s original investment and highlights the soaring value of professional sports franchises. Allen’s estate announced earlier this year that the team would eventually be sold, with proceeds supporting the late Microsoft co-founder’s philanthropic initiatives.

If approved, the transaction will officially become the largest franchise sale in NFL history and begin a new ownership era for one of the league’s most valuable organizations.