In an incredible turn of events, two billionaire tech gurus could reportedly go head-to-head as potential buyers for the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks.

According to a 30 April article by The Spun, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg is interested in buying a majority stake in the Seahawks. Meanwhile, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook is competing with him for the NFC franchise. 

As reported by Ben Horney of Front Office Sports, five sources claim that Zuckerberg “is considering a bid, while four say Cook is separately weighing an offer.”

However, no reports have come to light suggesting that any offers have been formally made.

With two billionaires already reportedly in the race, Mike Florio's Pro Football Talk reports suggest that two more could soon join the action.

Representatives from Allen & Co., the bank responsible for the Seahawks’ sale process and their seller, the Paul G. Allen estate, have declined to comment.

The Paul G. Allen Estate announced that the Seahawks were up for sale on 18th February, just 10 days after they'd won Super Bowl LIX against the New England Patriots.

“The Estate of Paul G. Allen today announced it has commenced a formal sale process for the Seattle Seahawks NFL franchise, consistent with Allen's directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all Estate proceeds to philanthropy,” they stated in an X post. 

But for any deal to succeed, all franchise owners are expected to cast a vote, with a three-fourths approval needed in favor of the sale that could near a record-breaking $10 billion mark.

How Much Would The Seahawks Sell For?

Sports writer Mike Florio states that the Seahawks are estimated to sell for anywhere between $9 and $11 billion.

“When the sale happens (the process is expected to begin soon), it’s currently believed that the high bidder will land in the range of $9 billion to $11 billion,” Florio wrote in an 8 February report for Pro Football Talk. “That would shatter the record price for an NFL franchise.”

At present, billionaire Josh Harris holds the record for the most expensive franchise purchase. He bought the Washington Commanders for $6.05 billion in 2023. 

Front Office Sports reported that “the planned sale of the Seahawks is in line with the wishes of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.”

Allen acquired the Seahawks in 1997 for $194 million and remained the owner till his passing in 2018.

At present, his sister Jody Allen serves as executor and trustee of the Paul G. Allen estate and is overseeing the sale. In March, the Allen Estate sold the NBA’s Trail Blazers to Tom Dundon, CEO of Dundon Capital Partners, for over $4 billion.

While billionaires have been known to purchase NFL franchises, tech-billionaires would certainly be a fresh addition to the football world. On the back of only their second Lombardi trophy, the sky is the limit if names like Mark Zuckerberg or Tim Cook take the reins.

Read more at the Cleveland Browns Community!

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote