An Indian-American venture capital family now controls a Super Bowl-winning NFL franchise. The sale of the Seattle Seahawks to the Khoslas closed on Thursday for $9.612 billion, the highest price ever paid for a National Football League club.
Neeru Khosla will serve as the team’s controlling owner and president of the Seahawks Charitable Foundation. Her husband Vinod Khosla, the co-founder of Sun Microsystems and founder of Khosla Ventures, is the new team chair, and their son Neal Khosla, chief executive of the telemedicine firm Curai Health, becomes vice chair.
The family made its introduction in a written statement.
“We are honored and excited to begin this next chapter. The Seahawks are known for their championship culture, winning football, and a deep connection to the 12s and the Pacific Northwest.”
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An NFL record set in Atlanta
NFL owners unanimously approved the transaction at a special meeting in Atlanta on August 26, one week before the closing. The agreement had been announced on July 11 and pushed through the league’s approval process in time for the season opener.
The $9.612 billion figure eclipses the previous NFL record, the roughly $6 billion Washington Commanders sale in 2023. Only one North American sports transaction has been valued higher: the Los Angeles Lakers changed hands at a $10 billion valuation in 2025.
Vinod Khosla previously held a 3.1 percent limited-partnership stake in the San Francisco 49ers, which he must give up under NFL cross-ownership rules.
Super Bowl rematch six days after closing
Seattle beat the New England Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8 to secure the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
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The two teams meet again at Lumen Field on Wednesday, September 9, a Super Bowl LX rematch scheduled for prime time on NBC. Kickoff is at 5:20pm local time.
Allen’s will forced the sale
Paul Allen bought the Seahawks from Ken Behring in 1997 for $194 million. After the Microsoft co-founder died in 2018, his will required the club to be sold and the proceeds distributed to charity, with his sister Jody Allen managing the estate through the process.
The Khoslas were joined by a dozen minority partners in completing the purchase. Among them are former U.S. commerce secretary Penny Pritzker, Silicon Valley investor Mark Stevens, Val Blavatnik and members of Mexico’s Aramburuzabala family. Two institutional investors, Carlyle and Dynasty Equity, share a 3 percent stake, matched by a separate 3 percent held by Sixth Street.
The new owners will meet the Seattle media at an introductory press conference on September 9, hours before kickoff.
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