The Seattle Seahawks, champions of the NFL, have announced the formal commencement of the process to sell the franchise just ten days after their Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, where they secured their second championship title. This announcement comes despite earlier attempts by the current owners to quash speculation about a potential sale during the lead-up to the Super Bowl, as they had insisted that a sale was not imminent.

Current estimates value the Seahawks franchise between $7 billion and $8 billion. This places it considerably higher than the previous record NFL sale, that of the Washington Commanders, which was completed for around $6 billion earlier this year. The high valuation reflects not only the team's recent success but also the lucrative nature of owning an NFL franchise in the current economic landscape, where sports franchises are increasingly seen as valuable investments.

The Seattle Seahawks are part of a trust established by Paul Allen, the late co-founder of Microsoft, who passed away in 2018 after a battle with cancer. For recent years, the team has been under the control of Allen’s sister, Jody Allen. The sale is anticipated to draw significant interest from potential buyers, further highlighting the competitive nature of the NFL and the financial investments associated with team ownership within the league.