Sports Business
Seahawks’ Financial Line Is Solid as the Season Approaches
Seahawks appear financially sound as season nears
By Rob Smith August 2, 2019
This article originally appeared in the August 2019 issue of Seattle magazine.
This story appears in the August 2019 issue. Click here for a free subscription.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilsons $140 million contract extension will account for a big chunk of the teams player expenses going forward, but the club appears financially healthy.
The value of the team is $2.6 billion, according to calculations by Forbes last September, based on the 2017 season. Player expenses were $220 million, a number likely to rise after Wilson signed the four-year extension, which makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL. The Seahawks generated $413 million in revenue and $71 million in operating income in 2017.
They also extended their naming rights deal with CenturyLink through 2033. The $162 million deal is worth more than double the previous one, Forbes notes.
Forbes ranks the club the 16th most valuable in the NFL. At a valuation of $5 billion, the Dallas Cowboys remain the leagues most valuable team for the 12th straight year.
The Seahawks open the regular season Sept. 8 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.