Jody Allen is the chair and de facto owner of the Seattle Seahawks, overseeing the franchise as trustee of her late brother Paul Allen’s estate while the team competes on the NFL’s biggest stage. Here’s what you need to know.
Jody Allen Became the Owner of the Seattle Seahawks After Paul Allen’s Death
Jody assumed control of the Seahawks in 2018 following the death of her brother, Paul, who purchased the team in 1997 to keep it in Seattle. Paul died at age 65 from complications related to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and ownership of the Seahawks transferred into the Paul G. Allen Trust, with Jody named trustee.
Her role immediately placed her at the top of the organization during a period of transition.
General manager John Schneider praised her leadership following Paul’s death, saying, “It’s been hard, but she has been amazing. She’s real responsive. She is into it. She’s aligned. She wants to win.”
Jody Allen’s Brother Saved the Seahawks From Leaving Seattle
Before Paul bought the team, the Seahawks faced a serious relocation threat. Then-owner Ken Behring attempted to move the franchise to Southern California in 1996, even transferring team operations to Anaheim.
The move stalled because of the Seahawks’ lease at the Kingdome and threats of massive daily fines from the NFL. Paul ultimately purchased the team from Behring in 1997, a move widely celebrated in Seattle.
“He believed it was good for the community,” longtime Seahawks broadcaster Steve Raible told ESPN. “He believed it was something that should be done to keep the team here in the community.”
That purchase directly led to the construction of what is now Lumen Field, securing the team’s long-term future in Seattle.
The Seahawks Owner Oversees Continued Success
Under Jody’s oversight, the Seahawks have remained competitive. The team won the NFC West in 2020 and tied for the NFL’s best regular-season record this year, powered by quarterback Sam Darnold and head coach Mike Macdonald.
Macdonald has credited Allen’s steady support throughout the team’s recent run.
“She’s just been incredibly supportive throughout the whole thing,” Macdonald said, via Forbes. “She felt very strong about what type of team that we should be, and a team that our city and the 12s are gonna be proud of.”
Jody Allen Is Widely Praised by Seahawks Leadership
Allen’s hands-on but measured approach has earned praise inside the organization. Macdonald recently said, “Jody’s a fantastic owner, steadfast in what she believes. I love having Jody as our owner.”
He added that her support has remained constant even during difficult stretches, saying she has been “steadfast in support and just wanting to keep growing.”
The Seahawks Will Eventually Be Sold Under NFL Rules
Despite her current role, Jody will not permanently control the Seahawks. NFL ownership rules prohibit estates or trusts from holding long-term equity in franchises, meaning a sale will eventually occur.
Timing now favors a future transaction. A provision tied to the construction of Lumen Field that would have required the Seahawks to share 10% of sale proceeds with the state of Washington has expired.
Jody addressed speculation in 2022, saying, “Estates of this size and complexity can take 10 to 20 years to wind down. There is no pre-ordained timeline by which the teams must be sold.”
The Paul G. Allen Estate later added, “We don’t comment on rumors or speculation, and the team is not for sale. We’ve already said that will change at some point per Paul’s wishes.”
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