The NFL‘s Seattle Seahawks And the NBA‘s Portland Trail Blazers Both franchises are not currently for sale, the president said on Tuesday.
Jodi Allen’s statement came amid growing speculation about the teams’ future ownership due to the terms in Paul Allen’s will that called for the two teams to eventually be sold and the proceeds given to charitable endeavours. Most speculation centered on the future of the Trail Blazers.
“As president of both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seattle Seahawks, my long-term focus is building championship teams that our communities are proud of,” said Jodi Allen in her statement. “Like my brother Paul, I trust and expect our captains and coaches to build winning teams that deliver results on and off the field and the field. As mentioned before, neither team is for sale and no sales discussions take place.”
Allen has overseen both teams since her brother’s death in 2018 and is a trustee of his estate. She acknowledged that the teams would eventually be put up for sale but said there was no set timetable.
“There will come a time when these changes in light of Paul’s plans to dedicate the vast majority of his fortune to philanthropy, but real estate of this size and complexity can take 10 to 20 years to finish. There is no predetermined timeline but the difference is,” Allen said.
Paul Allen bought the Trail Blazers in 1988 and bought the Seahawks in 1997 to help maintain the NFL franchise in his hometown. He also had a minority stake in the Seattle Sounders of MLS.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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