New Seahawks Owner Sparks Fan Outrage Over Potential Relocation

The new owner of the NFL champion Seattle Seahawks has provoked significant backlash from fans by not dismissing the possibility of relocating the team.

Vinod Khosla, who acquired the franchise for a record $9.6 billion earlier this year, was formally introduced to the city at the start of the new season. However, in a recent interview, he raised concerns about the team's future in Seattle.

"I will never say never," Khosla told Dan Primack of Axios when questioned about potential team relocation. He added, "Will this team be in Seattle 500 years from now? But I have no current plans to change anything about the team, including the coach, president, operation or Lumen Field. It all functions well."

The comments have amplified anxieties among Seahawks supporters, particularly as the team's lease at Lumen Field is set to expire in 2032.

Fans expressed their discontent online, with one commenter stating, "What an absolutely stupid thing to say to your loyal fan base. Unbelievably stupid." Another noted the sensitivity of the issue in Seattle, referencing the city's history with the Sonics' departure, and said, "Blatantly stupid to say something like that (regardless of context) in Seattle given their history with the Sonics sale. I can't stand these guys already. Not exactly earning the public's trust."

Others questioned Khosla's strategy, asking, "Is he intentionally trying to poison his relationship with the fans?" and "Boy this guy is really building something with the Seahawks fan base isn't he."

The sentiment of betrayal was palpable, with one fan writing, "The only thing you can't really say to a fanbase that has had a team stolen from them. No idea why you say this or what you'd expect the reaction to be."

Khosla, whose family previously held a minority stake in the San Francisco 49ers, purchased the Seahawks from the estate of the late Paul Allen following approval from NFL owners in late August. Khosla, the founder of Khosla Ventures, has a net worth of $13.7 billion, according to Forbes. His investment firm has backed experimental technologies, including being the first venture firm to invest in OpenAI.

The Seahawks have been owned by the Allen family since 1997, when Paul Allen acquired the team for $194 million. Allen was instrumental in ensuring the team remained in Seattle. After Allen's death in 2018, the team was owned by his sister, Jody, along with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers. The Allen estate agreed in September to sell the Trail Blazers to an investment group led by Tom Dundon, with the team remaining in Portland as part of that deal.

The Seahawks are currently 2-1 after their Week 3 defeat to the Washington Commanders.