The China Mail - Seattle Seahawks deny plans for post-Super Bowl sale

The Seahawks -- who play in the NFL championship decider on February 8 -- have been owned by the Allen family since 1997, when the club was purchased by late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.

His sister Jody has controlled the team since Paul's death in 2018, and has long said it will eventually be sold under her brother's plans to give most of his wealth to charity.

But ESPN on Friday reported that the Seahawks sale is now imminent and that "discussions have taken place at ownership and league levels for at least the past week."

The report, citing anonymous NFL and Seahawks sources, claimed the franchise is valued at $7 billion to $8 billion.

A spokesman for the family estate swiftly denied the story, issuing a statement that "the team is not for sale."

"We've already said that will change at some point per Paul's wishes, but there is no news to share. Our focus right now is winning the Super Bowl," it said.

The Seahawks will bid to win their second NFL title next weekend against the New England Patriots at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.

The franchise has been based in Seattle since it was founded in 1974. It was reportedly on the cusp of a controversial move to Los Angeles before it was bought by Allen in 1997.

Allen also purchased the Portland Trail Blazers NBA basketball team, which is currently being sold off by the family estate.

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