‘Don’t Apologize to Nobody,’ ‘Soft to Criticism’ — NFL Fans Divided Over Seahawks Owner Vinod Khosla’s Pushback on Steelers Fandom

Even after explaining his comments, new owner Vinod Khosla still hasn't won over everyone associated with the Seattle Seahawks.

Fresh off winning their second Super Bowl in franchise history, the Seattle Seahawks had to deal with a ton of changes this offseason. More than roster turnover, the team underwent a sale, with the new ownership group officially coming on board earlier this week.

Unfortunately, Vinod Khosla, who heads the new group, has been under fire for his comments detailing his love for the Pittsburgh Steelers since he came to the country nearly 50 years ago. Now, even as he fired back at those critics, he still hasn’t convinced everyone.


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Vinod Khosla Remains a Divisive Owner for the Seahawks

The sale, as directed by Paul Allen, was taken care of by his sister, who had overseen both the Portland Trail Blazers and the Seahawks after his demise.

The sale went through for a whopping $9.612 billion, with the NFL owners officially accepting the deal unanimously. Unfortunately, fans weren’t entirely thrilled about the situation after Khosla confessed his early football allegiances.

“I also happened to come to this country in ’76 when the Steelers were winning Super Bowls. So actually, I was originally and still am a big Steelers fan,” Khosla revealed. Some members of the media, and even the Seahawks fan base, were perturbed by his comments.

Finally, Khosla himself acknowledged those comments, stating, “Reporters will make every molehill into a mountain just to get column inches to write or video minutes. What’s wrong with admitting my 1976-78 period in Pittsburgh (CMU) got me excited about the NFL?”

Going a step further, he added, “I still watch their games, doesn’t mean I won’t unconditionally ALWAYS ,as owner, want the Seahawks to win and have every edge up, EVERY TIME over every other team!!!! Zero questions!!! At the other end is a set of teams I always want to lose every advantage.”

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Addressing the media directly, he called them out, claiming, “But happy to have the sports writer getting more column inches and fill their pages. You are welcome. Apologies in advance for my very transparent style.”

Some folks, though, didn’t take kindly to his style, with Drake Bentley of Sporting News firing back an immediate response: “It’s always reporters’ fault for your own words.”

Others, though, took it as a sign of weakness, claiming, “Yikes…a little thin-skinned.”

It wasn’t a singular opinion, either, as another fan came to a similar conclusion, claiming, “An owner this soft to criticism already, oh boy, get ready.” Some members of the fan base saw it as Khosla’s fault: “How is it the reporter’s fault that you [expletive] up a layup.”

There were others who understood his side of the story.

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One fan came to Khosla’s support immediately, claiming, “Don’t apologize to nobody, boss. Go Hawks.” A few others followed suit, spreading a message of positivity, writing, “It’s funny how some people look for something to be mad and upset about. Don’t worry, be happy!”

Seeing his direct response to the criticism, some were thrilled by his appointment, as one fan exclaimed, “I’m glad you are the new owner. You and your family will take my Hawks to the next level. Good Luck. I’m rooting for you. Thank you”

A few sections of the fans started celebrating his response, jokingly calling out, “My team’s owner just writes checks and blitzes people on Twitter.”

It remains to be seen how Khosla’s tenure as owner shakes out for the Seahawks. Fresh off a Super Bowl win, the fan base is expecting another excellent season from the roster.

But in the long run, the franchise has to be hoping to build on the foundation it has built.

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