SEATTLE, Wash. (Diya TV) — The ownership group led by the Khosla family continues to expand its plans to buy the Seattle Seahawks, as several major investment firms and business leaders discuss joining the record-setting deal.
Bloomberg News reported Thursday that the Khosla family is in talks with Carlyle Group, Dynasty Equity Partners Management, former Sequoia Capital managing partner Mark Stevens, and private investment firm Sixth Street about becoming part of the Seahawks ownership group. However, no agreements have been finalized, and discussions remain ongoing.
The reported talks come just weeks after the Paul G. Allen Estate announced on July 11 that it had agreed to sell the Seahawks to the Khosla family for a reported $9.612 billion. If completed, the transaction would rank among the largest sales in professional sports history.
According to the reports, Carlyle Group and Dynasty Equity are discussing a joint bid to join the ownership consortium. Carlyle already has ties to Seattle sports. In 2024, the New York-based investment firm purchased a reported 97% stake in the Seattle Reign in partnership with the Seattle Sounders.
Meanwhile, Sixth Street and Mark Stevens have also held discussions with the Khosla family. Sixth Street, based in San Francisco, already owns a 3% stake in the New England Patriots, the team that Seattle will face in its regular-season opener on Sept. 9 at Lumen Field.
The NFL allows ownership groups to include multiple investors. However, league rules require one controlling owner to hold at least 30% of the team’s equity. In addition, an ownership group cannot exceed 25 total owners, including individuals, families, and approved private equity firms.
The league also updated its ownership policy in 2024. Teams may now sell up to 10% of their ownership to approved private equity firms. Still, each investment must equal at least a 3% stake. Furthermore, those firms must keep their shares for at least six years before selling them. The rule aims to encourage long-term investment rather than quick resale.
The NFL approved only four private equity firms to invest in teams. Carlyle, Dynasty Equity, and Sixth Street all appear on that list. Each approved firm may invest in as many as six NFL franchises.
Sixth Street already owns stakes in several major sports organizations. The firm reportedly owns about 20% of the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and 25% of FC Barcelona. It also serves as the lead investor in Bay FC of the National Women’s Soccer League. In addition, the company reportedly holds interests in the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Celtics.
Mark Stevens also has significant experience in professional sports ownership. He owns a stake in the Golden State Warriors and serves as managing partner of S-Cubed Capital. Dynasty Equity already owns a stake in Liverpool FC. Earlier this year, Dynasty announced a partnership with Carlyle to pursue investments in NFL franchises. The agreement also named Pro Football Hall of Famer Curtis Martin as a strategic adviser.
If Carlyle and Dynasty join the Seahawks ownership group, the investment would mark each firm’s first ownership stake in an NFL franchise. As Bloomberg noted, that outcome would mean all four league-approved private equity firms would own interests in NFL teams.
The NFL’s owners are expected to vote on the Seahawks sale during their meeting on Aug. 26 in Atlanta. If they approve the transaction, the sale could become official shortly afterward.
At the same time, Khosla Ventures is pursuing a separate fundraising effort. The venture capital firm, founded by Vinod Khosla in 2004, is reportedly seeking as much as $5.5 billion for new investment funds. The fundraising effort does not involve the Seahawks.
According to Bloomberg, the firm plans to raise about $1 billion for seed-stage startups, roughly $2 billion for early-stage companies, and around $2.5 billion for its opportunity fund, which invests in more mature businesses.
The report also suggested that Vinod Khosla does not plan to manage the Seahawks’ daily operations. Instead, league documents identify Neeru Khosla as the controlling owner. They also state that Neal Khosla will take on a significant leadership role within the ownership group.
The Seahawks hope to complete the ownership transfer before the club opens the regular season against the New England Patriots on Sept. 9 at Lumen Field.
