Macdonald had ‘great’ meeting with Seahawks’ pending new owners

When the Seattle Seahawks opened training camp on Saturday, it came exactly two weeks after the Paul G. Allen estate announced an agreement to sell the franchise to a group led by the Khosla family.

What Seahawks coach said about Emmanwori’s status

Speaking to reporters after Saturday’s practice, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed he met with the Khoslas this spring. NFL Network insider Steve Wyche had previously reported that Macdonald and Seahawks general manager John Schneider were part of the “interviewing” process for prospective ownership groups.

“It wasn’t a long meeting, but it was great,” Macdonald said. “It was fruitful and it was just an awesome opportunity. You can always talk on the phone and do Zooms and stuff, but to be in person is a different experience, which I definitely appreciated.”

The Khosla-led group is set to buy the Seahawks for an NFL-record $9.612 billion, according to ESPN. The deal is pending approval from league owners, who are expected to vote on the transaction at a special Aug. 26 league meeting, per ESPN.

The pending new ownership group is spearheaded by tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist Vinod Khosla, along with his wife Neeru Khosla and their son Neal Khosla.

It’s set to be the first time in nearly three decades that the Seahawks have changed ownership. Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen owned the team from 1997 until his death in 2018. Allen’s sister, Jody Allen, has served as the Seahawks’ chair since 2018.

“We’re really thankful for Jody and the things that her and the rest of the ownership group did, especially since I’ve been here,” Macdonald said. “It’s been fantastic, and hopefully the rest of the 12s feel the same way. … Now we’re entering a new chapter in our organization’s history, and so I think that’s a cause for excitement as well.”

From a football perspective, Macdonald said it’s business as usual for the reigning Super Bowl champions.

“Everything is about the same as it’s been,” Macdonald said. “Nothing’s really changed on our front, nor will it for the foreseeable future. So that’s how we’re approaching everything. … I think the best way to describe my mentality is I’m just excited to get going.”

Seattle Seahawks news and more

• What stood out from Seahawks’ 1st training camp practice
• Stacy Rost: 3 Seahawks we’re watching close in training camp
• Report: New Seattle Seahawks owners in talks to add to group

Related

Two factors can help Seahawks’ O-line continue to riseBrissett agrees to reworked deal, is Cardinals’ likely starting QBMcVay: Aaron Donald still contemplating a return to RamsDefending champion Seahawks open camp as ‘new team’What stood out from Seahawks’ 1st training camp practiceWhat Seahawks coach said about Emmanwori’s status