Building a Winner : Seahawks Ownership

1024 699 Charlie the Unicorn

Majority owner: Paul Allen, 61
Minority owners: None
Source of wealth: Co-founder of Microsoft
Net worth: $17.5 billion (Forbes)
Residence: Mercer Island, Washington
Marital status: Single
Family: Sister, Jody Allen, 58

Education: Washington State. Left after his sophomore year to start Microsoft with Bill Gates.

When purchased team / for how much: 1996 for $194 million
Franchise valuation: $1.33 billion (Forbes)
2014 revenue/rank: $288 million/12th (Forbes)

Owns stadium: No, it is publicly owned by the Washington State Public Stadium Authority

Ownership philosophy: Do what it takes to put the right people in the right places, providing them with the tools for success and letting them do their jobs. No expense is spared to give team executives what they need. But Allen doesn’t get involved much in the day-to-day operations of the team.

Defining moment in ownership tenure: First, buying the Seahawks and saving them for Seattle since Ken Behring was going to move the team to Los Angeles. Second, winning Super Bowl XLVIII.

Regular/postseason wins-losses during tenure: 160-140/9-8

General managers during tenure: Bob Whitsitt (1997-98), Mike Holmgren (99-2002), Bob Ferguson (2003-04), Tim Ruskell (2005-09), John Schneider (2010-present)

Coaches during tenure: Dennis Erickson (1997-98), Mike Holmgren (1999-2008), Jim Mora (2009), Pete Carroll (2010-present)

Playoff appearances: 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014. (10 out of 19 years of ownership)

Super Bowl appearances/championships: Lost to Steelers 21-10 in Super Bowl XL (2005 season), defeated Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII (2013), lost to Patriots 28-24 in Super Bowl XLIX (2014).

courtesy ESPN.com Terry Blount

AUTHOR

Charlie the Unicorn

The unicorn is a legendary animal that has been described since antiquity as a beast with a large, pointed, spiraling horn projecting from its forehead.

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