Allen assumed control in 2018 after Paul Allen’s death from complications related to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, with ownership transferred into the Paul G. Allen Trust and Jody named as trustee. Her leadership immediately placed her at the center of a period of organizational transition, earning praise from team executives who described her as responsive, aligned, and committed to winning.
Paul Allen’s purchase of the Seahawks in 1997 helped secure the team’s future in Seattle and stave off relocation threats. Before that, then-owner Ken Behring had attempted to move the franchise to Southern California in 1996, prompting NFL threats and fines that helped drive Behring’s sale of the team to Paul Allen. Allen’s acquisition paved the way for the construction of what is now Lumen Field.
Under Jody Allen’s oversight, the Seahawks have continued to compete at a high level. The team won the NFC West in 2020 and tied for the NFL’s best regular-season record in a recent year, with leadership noting Allen’s steady support and clear vision for the program. Head coach Mike Macdonald has credited Allen’s guidance as instrumental to the franchise’s direction.
Inside the organization, Allen is widely praised for her steady, hands-on approach. Macdonald has called her “a fantastic owner,” noting her steadfast support and commitment to building a franchise that the city and the 12s can be proud of.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will eventually be sold under NFL ownership rules that prohibit estates or trusts from holding long-term equity in teams. A former sale-related provision tied to Lumen Field has expired, and Jody Allen has acknowledged that estates of this size can take years to wind down. The Paul G. Allen Estate has stated the team is not for sale, while noting that such a sale could occur at some point per Paul’s wishes.
