The Seattle Seahawks have officially closed the deal on a historic sale, marking the third time the franchise has changed hands in its 50-year history as a member of the NFL. The sale, which amounts to a staggering $9.61 billion, was finalized on Thursday, following unanimous approval from NFL owners last week.
Vinod Khosla, along with his wife Neeru Khosla and their son Neal Khosla, now holds the title of controlling owners of the Seahawks, who recently celebrated their Super Bowl victory. This sale is particularly notable as it is the first time in NFL history that a defending Super Bowl champion has been sold so soon after winning the title.
The Khosla family takes over ownership from the estate of Paul G. Allen, the late co-founder of Microsoft, who purchased the team in 1997 for $194 million. The transition marks a significant shift in the franchise’s leadership, as the Khoslas become the first owners other than Allen and his sister Jody since they acquired the team. In a statement, the Khoslas expressed their excitement about the new chapter for the Seahawks, emphasizing their commitment to the team's championship culture and connection with the Seattle community.
As part of the ownership transition, the Khoslas will be formally introduced as the new owners during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday at Lumen Field. This event is set to take place just hours before the Seahawks host the New England Patriots in the opening game of the 2026 NFL season.
Vinod Khosla, 71, is a co-founder of Sun Microsystems and will serve as the chair of the Seahawks. His wife, Neeru, also 71, will be the controlling owner and president of the Seahawks Charitable Foundation. Neeru Khosla holds multiple degrees, including two in molecular biology, and has been actively involved in educational initiatives through the CK-12 Foundation, which she co-founded in 2006 to provide free educational resources.
Neal Khosla, in his late 30s, has been appointed as the vice chair of the Seahawks. He is the co-founder and CEO of Curai Health, a telemedicine company that utilizes artificial intelligence to improve healthcare access.
In addition to the Khosla family, several minority owners have joined the ownership group, including Mark Stevens, a former managing partner at Sequoia Capital, and the Aramburuzabala family, known for their role in founding Grupo Modelo, a major brewing company in Mexico. Other notable minority owners include investor Val Blavatnik, Sheryl Sokoloff, and billionaire Gonzalo Hevia Baillères, among others.
The sale process was supported by Andalusian Sports Advisors, who acted as advisors to the Khosla family, while Sullivan & Cromwell LLP provided legal counsel. With the completion of this record-setting sale, the Seahawks are poised to continue their legacy in the NFL under new leadership.
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