NFL commissioner defiantly hits back at ‘not accurate’ reports on sale of $11bn franchise

Roger Goodell has been forced to defend the market for the Seattle Seahawks.

ESPN quoted an unnamed NFL owner describing the interest as “soft” ahead of the latest round of meetings in Orlando, Florida.

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The NFL commissioner is adamant that is not the case and came out swinging.

“Obviously there have been some reports that I would say are not accurate with respect to the amount of interest,” he said Tuesday. “It’s exactly the opposite.

“There’s actually been tremendous interest in the team. The process is moving forward. Obviously we’re not going to be discussing that either with the membership or anyone else.

“We respect the process until it’s completed. Once that happens, then it will be handed over to us and we’ll work through the process of our approval.”

Of course, Goodell was hardly going to say the opposite when team valuations are ultimately one of the main ways his legacy will be judged.

But it is hard to imagine nobody is keen on owning the defending Super Bowl champion, especially when NFL teams are a licence to print money.

Valuations are going up and up with the current record for a complete sale set when Josh Harris bought the Washington Commanders for just over $6 billion in 2023.

The expectation is that Seattle is worth in the region of $9-11 billion.

Investors Aditya Mittal, Wyc Grousbeck, and billionaire Vinod Khosla are all potential bidders, according to Sportico.

Mittal and Grousbeck, who have links to the Boston Celtics, have reportedly submitted a joint letter of interest.

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The franchise was purchased for $194 million by Paul Allen in 1997.

His sister Jody took over after his death in 2018 with the ultimate aim of selling the team and donating the proceeds to charity.

Chicago Bears the talk of Orlando

It has been a busy round of meetings for the NFL.

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis sold off another chunk of his team and has outlined a potential succession plan.

Meanwhile, Goodell has been updating the teams on a recent spate of stadium construction or renovation projects from Jacksonville to Denver.

Most teams have identified sites, but the Chicago Bears are lagging behind with two possible options in the works.

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“There was a report on all of the stadium projects,” Goodell revealed. “We’re in the midst of what we would call a very significant stadium construction period and/or significant renovations.

“There was a specific update on the Bears with respect to the two sites that they are evaluating that are viable in the Bears’ mind and others, in ours. One in Illinois and one in Indiana.

“That process is going on. The legislature in Illinois is obviously focused on that. They’re getting into the final days of their session.

“I’ve spoken to the governor recently. I think there’s a focus on trying to get something done there, and then they’ll have two viable sites that the Bears can make their decision from.”

The Tennessee Titans‘ brand new home has been confirmed as a Super Bowl host for 2030, while Minnesota has been awarded the 2028 NFL Draft.

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