For nearly three decades, the Seattle Seahawks have thrived under the Allen family’s ownership. But with the franchise now up for sale, the Seahawks will soon change hands and find themselves under new ownership.
ESPN report hints at potential Seahawks sale valuation
As reports of several potential bidders have begun to emerge, former Seahawks quarterback Brock Huard detailed his three non-negotiables for the franchise’s next owner during Friday’s Blue 88 segment on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk.
‘Civic responsibility’
In many ways, the late Paul Allen embodied the term “civic responsibility.”
Allen saved pro football in Seattle when he purchased the Seahawks in 1997 from Ken Behring, who was on the verge of relocating the team to Southern California.
Allen and his sister, Jody, then presided over a lengthy run of success. Since Allen bought the team, the Seahawks have totaled the fifth-most wins in the NFL, along with two Super Bowl titles, four Super Bowl appearances, 11 division championships and 17 playoff appearances.
And now, in accordance with Allen’s will, the proceeds from the Seahawks’ sale will go to the late owner’s vast array of philanthropic efforts.
Huard hopes the new owner brings a similar commitment to the community.
“Whoever it is, I sure hope has an understanding (of that), because we just had 30 years of incredible, incredible civic understanding and (giving) everything back to this community,” Huard said.
‘Cash on hand’
Huard also stressed the value of the new owner having the liquid cash to not only get deals done, but to structure them in ways that are advantageous to the franchise.
“To be involved in this, you’re a whale with billions of dollars,” Huard said. “But how much of that (is liquid cash)?
“I think we’ve learned in the NFL – through teams like the Broncos, like the Seahawks under the Allens – (the value of having) cash on hand to be able to handle all of the contracts and structure them and set them up in a way that is advantageous to them.”
‘Ceding control’
Huard then emphasized the importance of the new owner giving general manager John Schneider, head coach Mike Macdonald and the rest of the Seahawks’ front office and coaching staff the freedom to make their own football decisions.
As Huard mentioned, there are cautionary tales of owners who become too involved in the day-to-day operations of their team – the most notable example being longtime Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
“It’s not about you,” Huard. “Just please don’t sit in the war room like Jerry Jones and not be able to function, yet make it all about you and think it’s all about you.”
Listen to the full Blue 88 segment at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
More on the Seattle Seahawks
• 49ers investor prepping bid to buy Seattle Seahawks, per report
• Report: 2 names emerge as potential Seattle Seahawks bidders
• Stacy Rost: Why are Rams favored over Seahawks for 2026?
• The Seahawks defender Bump says is poised for big season
• Brock: An undrafted Seattle Seahawks rookie to watch
