After her brother, Paul Allen, passed away in 2018, Jody Allen inherited a diverse portfolio of investments, including the Seattle Seahawks. Although the largest chunk of that wealth came from her role as a founding partner of Microsoft, the estate she now manages is quite substantial.
Since buying the Seahawks in 1997, the Allen family’s estate has only increased in value, but how does it compare to other NFL owners?
What Is the Value of the Allen Estate Overseen by Jody?
Paul Allen’s sister, Jody, oversees his estate. At the time of his passing, the family’s net worth was about $20.3 billion.
Paul bought the Seahawks for $194-$200 million in 1997. He went on to build the team a new stadium, hired then-USC coach Pete Carroll, won a Super Bowl, and truly brought together a team and city that was in turmoil before “The 12th Man.” According to Forbes, the Seahawks are currently valued at $6.7 billion.
The Seahawks were not the only West Coast franchise Paul acquired after monetizing his 25% stake in Microsoft. He co-founded the company alongside Bill Gates, one of his closest friends dating back to seventh grade. Gates has said he immediately recognized Allen as a “genius with computers,” a partnership that ultimately changed the tech world.
Beyond the NFL, Paul also owned Seattle Sounders FC and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. After Microsoft went public in 1986, Allen gradually converted portions of his equity into a diverse portfolio of sports and business investments.
Today, Jody Allen remains involved in ownership of both the Sounders and the Trail Blazers, though speculation continues about a potential future sale of one or both franchises.
How Do Jody and the Allen Family Continue To Build Their Net Worth?
From there, Paul expanded his Microsoft fortune into real estate, private equity, and energy investments. Across both coasts, he owned more than one million square feet of retail, office, and industrial property. Through his private investment arm, Vulcan Capital, he was also an early backer of major companies such as Uber, Ticketmaster, and DreamWorks.
Today, Jody Allen continues to oversee the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, which she co-founded with her brother. In that role, she is tasked with preserving and advancing the vision they shared across both philanthropic and business efforts.
A notable portion of the estate’s prominence stems from Paul’s purchase of the megayacht Octopus. Launched in 2003 at a reported cost of $200 million, the vessel has been loaned out for scientific research and marine exploration projects.
The Allen family’s art collection has also played a significant role in the estate’s legacy. In August 2022, the estate released 150 pieces from Paul’s collection, which were estimated to generate more than $1 billion in total. All proceeds from the sale were directed to charitable causes.
Where Does Allen Rank Among NFL Owners?
Before Paul’s death in October 2018, he was far and away the wealthiest NFL owner.
Jody is still on the wealthier end of the spectrum regarding the richest owners. She slots fifth in terms of highest owner net worth, with David Tepper above her by a shade under a billion dollars.
Although Paul got the ball rolling for the Allen trust, it has clearly been left in more than capable hands. It’s easy to see the direction Jody has progressed, leaving nothing but the sky as the limit for what she can do to her individual value.
Notes for Super Bowl 60 Matchup Between Seahawks-Patriots
- New England defeated the #1 (DEN), #2 (HOU), and #8 (LAC) ranked defenses on its way to winning the AFC.
- Seattle defeated the #1 (LAR) and #5 (SF) ranked offenses on its way to winning the NFC.
- The Patriots just two touchdowns and 26 points while forcing 8 turnovers during the playoffs. However, they have faced the 15th-ranked (DEN), 23rd-ranked (HOU), and 26th-ranked (LAC) offenses during that stretch.
- The Seahawks lead the league in third-down defense (32.3%), but they have allowed a 48% conversion rate on fourth down (T-7th). The Patriots rank 9th in third-down conversions allowed (36.9%) and 2nd on fourth down (33.3%).
- Seattle’s special teams have the second-best grade of the season with a 90.9 (A-), while New England is 20th (73.9 C-)
- Seattle has scored five special teams touchdowns, as well as blocking one punt and two field goals, while New England has scored three special teams touchdowns and has blocked one field goal
- The Patriots are one of eight teams to average under 40 net yards per punt. SEA has beaten two of the other seven teams in the last two weeks. NE (2nd; 37.7) and SEA (4th; 38.7) both rank in the top four when it comes to opponent net yards per punt.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded a WRi score of 85.3 (B) against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship game. It ranked 29th among players this season. In Week 12 against the Tennessee Titans, Smith-Njigba had the second-best score of the season with an 89.7 (B+). Only Puka Nacua’s 94.4 (A) WRi against Seattle in Week 16 was better.
- Smith-Njigba had the second-best season score (94.4, A), ranking seventh since 2019.
- Stefon Diggs had the fourth-best WRi score in the league after finishing 26th and 27th the last two seasons. Diggs’ score was the 39th best since 2019, and he has four of the top 48 season scores in that time frame.
- Drake Maye’s QBi of 97.8 (A+) against the Jets in Week 17 was the top individual game PFSN’s Quarterback Impact (QBi) performance over the past 18 seasons. Since 2000, only Peyton Manning’s 99.8 (A+) QBi against the Ravens in 2007 ranks higher in a single game.
- Sam Darnold registered five of his top eight career QBi scores this season (94 qualified games). Darnold’s QBi (90.8, A-) in Week 5 against Washington was his career best; it was also the 57th best score by any quarterback since 2000 (13,999 games).
- Mike Vrabel, with two touchdown receptions in Super Bowls, is tied for the seventh most career receiving touchdowns in Super Bowl games. Vrabel, who played over 200 career games as a linebacker, also recorded ten touchdown catches in the regular season.
- Seattle led the NFL with a +191 point differential this season, while New England was third at +170. This Super Bowl matchup marks the fifth time both teams entered with a regular-season point differential of at least +170. The other matchups were Super Bowl I (GB-KC), Super Bowl IV (KC-MIN), Super Bowl XIX (SF-MIA), and Super Bowl XLVIII (SEA-DEN).
- The Seahawks have yet to commit a turnover in the playoffs. Only 11 Super Bowl champions, including last season’s Eagles, have finished the postseason with just one turnover. Seattle is also among 17 teams in the Super Bowl era to play their first two playoff games without a turnover.
- The Seahawks’ DEFi score of 95.1 (A) against the Vikings in Week 13 ranked as the 12th-best individual PFSN’s Defense Impact game score across all NFL matchups since 2019 (out of 3,918 games).
- In nine Super Bowls with Belichick and Brady, the Patriots had a cumulative point differential of +14, including a 10-point victory in their final Super Bowl together.
- The Patriots’ 14 regular-season games against teams with a losing record are the most by a team in the Super Bowl. Washington, in the strike-shortened 1987 season, played 13 of 15 games against losing teams, including ones with replacement players. Seattle played nine such games this season.
