Seahawks Sale Pending Decision by Jody Allen After Super Bowl, Goodell Confirms
Updated (2 articles)
Commissioner Goodell Announces Sale Will Occur When Jody Allen Decides After Super Bowl LX, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters the Seattle Seahawks will be sold, but the exact timing rests with Jody Allen, executor of Paul Allen’s estate, and the league will back her choice [1]. He also rejected a Wall Street Journal report that the franchise had been fined $5 million for ownership violations, calling the claim “not true” [1]. The announcement follows earlier media speculation that the team would be listed for sale immediately after the championship game [1].
Estate Officially Denies Current Sale Listings A spokesperson for the Paul G. Allen Estate issued a statement saying the Seahawks are “not for sale” and that the organization will not comment on rumors [2]. The statement highlighted the team’s immediate priority: winning the Super Bowl and completing the pending sale of the Portland Trail Blazers [2]. No new information about a sale timeline was provided, reinforcing the estate’s adherence to Paul Allen’s wishes [2].
Paul Allen’s Will Directs Future Sale and Charitable Distribution The 2018 will mandates that Jody Allen eventually sell all of Paul Allen’s sports holdings—including the Seahawks, the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, and a 25 % stake in the Seattle Sounders—and allocate the proceeds to charitable causes [1][2]. Both articles cite this directive as the legal basis for any future transaction. The will’s language leaves the exact timing open, allowing the estate to manage the process over many years [2].
Trail Blazers Transaction Remains Unfinished, Influencing Seahawks Timeline The sale of the Portland Trail Blazers was announced in 2025 but, as of early 2026, has not been finalized, keeping the overall estate settlement in flux [1][2]. Jody Allen previously warned in July 2022 that winding down the estate could take 10 to 20 years, suggesting the Seahawks sale may be delayed until the NBA deal concludes [2]. This unresolved NBA transaction is a key factor in the uncertainty surrounding the Seahawks’ eventual ownership change [1][2].
Sources
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1.
King5:Goodell Says Seahawks Sale Will Depend on Jody Allen’s Decision: Goodell confirmed the Seahawks will be sold after the Super Bowl, timing rests with Jody Allen, and he denied a $5 million fine report .
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2.
King5:Paul Allen Estate Refutes Seahawks Sale Rumors Amid Super Bowl Build‑Up: Estate spokesperson declared the Seahawks “not for sale,” emphasized focus on a Super Bowl win and the pending Trail Blazers sale, and reiterated the will’s eventual‑sale directive .
Timeline
1997 – Paul G. Allen purchases the Seattle Seahawks, acquiring the NFL franchise after a previous owner attempts to relocate the team [1][2].
2018 – Paul Allen’s will mandates that his sister Jody Allen eventually sell all his sports holdings—including the Seahawks, the Portland Trail Blazers, and a 25 % stake in the Seattle Sounders—and donate the proceeds to charitable causes [1][2].
July 2022 – Jody Allen tells reporters the Seahawks “one day go up for sale,” warning that winding down the estate can take 10‑20 years and that no fixed timetable exists [2].
2025 – The sale of the Portland Trail Blazers is publicly announced, marking the first step toward fulfilling Paul Allen’s will, though the transaction remains pending into early 2026 [1][2].
Jan 30‑31, 2026 – The Paul G. Allen Estate issues a statement rejecting ESPN’s report that the Seahawks will be listed for sale after Super Bowl LX, emphasizing the team “is not for sale” and that the priority is winning the Super Bowl and completing the Trail Blazers sale [2].
Jan 30‑31, 2026 – Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald says he regularly speaks with Jody Allen, describing her “enthusiasm” and “vision” for the franchise and noting her “incredibly supportive” involvement in shaping the team’s direction [2].
Feb 3, 2026 – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell tells reporters after Super Bowl LX that the Seahawks will be sold, but the timing rests entirely on Jody Allen’s decision, and the league will back her choice [1].
Feb 3, 2026 – Goodell refutes a Wall Street Journal claim that Seattle was fined $5 million for violating ownership requirements, calling the report “not true” [1].
Feb 3, 2026 – ESPN, the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets report that the Seahawks are expected to be listed for sale immediately after the Super Bowl, reflecting speculation despite the estate’s denial [1].
Future (post‑2026) – Under the 2018 will, the eventual sale of the Seahawks and other sports assets will generate proceeds earmarked for charitable distribution, with the exact timeline dependent on Jody Allen’s estate management [1][2].