The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks have secured their Super Bowl spots after edging out the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams in tightly contested conference championships.
This marks the Patriots’ impressive 12th appearance in the Super Bowl—a record unmatched by any other NFL team. They share the honor of having the most Super Bowl victories at six, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the Seahawks, this will be their fourth journey to the championship game, with their memorable victory coming during the 2013 season. The last time these two teams faced off was in Super Bowl XLIX, where Malcolm Butler’s crucial interception sealed the win for the Patriots.
Both teams’ paths to the Super Bowl raised eyebrows at the start of the season. The Seahawks entered the season with preseason odds at 60-1, placing them 19th overall according to BetMGM. The Patriots faced even steeper odds at 80-1 after enduring back-to-back 4-13 seasons. However, they turned their situation around remarkably, starting at 1-2 before triumphing in 16 out of their last 17 games.
Let’s take a deeper look into the financial aspects surrounding these two franchises.
Franchise Value
The Patriots currently rank fourth in Sportico‘s 2025 NFL franchise valuations, valued at $8.76 billion. They trail only the Dallas Cowboys ($12.8 billion), Los Angeles Rams ($10.43 billion), and New York Giants ($10.25 billion). This value has increased exponentially since Robert Kraft originally bought the team for a then-record $172 million in 1994.
Since the 2025 evaluations, their value has risen further. In October, the NFL approved a 5% stake in the franchise to billionaire Dean Metropoulos and 3% to private equity firm Sixth Street. This transaction valued the franchise at $9 billion pre-money and $9.7 billion post-money. The influx of investment bolstered the team’s financial standing.
The Kraft family holds over 90% ownership of the Patriots, and this deal did not extend to the Kraft family’s other franchise, Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution.
The Seahawks, in contrast, are valued at $6.59 billion, placing them at No. 14. Their local revenue streams are approximately 40% lower than the Patriots’. In 1997, Paul Allen bought the franchise from Ken Behring for $200 million after threats of relocation loomed over the team.
Team Owners
Robert Kraft, the 84-year-old owner of the Patriots, first built his fortune in the paper and packaging sector before acquiring the team. The Kraft Group ranks as one of the largest private companies in the U.S., employing nearly 10,000 individuals. According to Forbes, Kraft’s net worth stands at $13.8 billion, with his son Jonathan Kraft serving as president of both the Kraft Group and the Patriots.
Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, passed away in 2018 due to complications from non-Hodgkin lymphoma. His will stipulated that his estate sell the Seahawks alongside his other assets, with proceeds directed to philanthropic efforts.
His sister, Jody Allen, currently serves as the executor of the estate and has acted as owner of the Seahawks and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Allen purchased the Trail Blazers for $70 million in 1988. Recently, Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon agreed to acquire the Trail Blazers for $4.25 billion, leading to speculation that the Seahawks will be next up for bids.
Jody Allen also raised the 12 Flag before the NFC Championship game and accepted the George Halas Trophy during the post-game ceremonies.
Coaches
In January 2024, the Seahawks appointed Mike Macdonald as their head coach, following his tenure as the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator. Succeeding Pete Carroll after 14 years, Macdonald became the NFL’s youngest coach at just 36. His six-year contract averages around $9 million annually, placing him among the highest-paid coaches in U.S. sports.
Under his leadership, the Seahawks achieved the most wins in franchise history this season, ranking third in offensive points scored and boasting the best defense in terms of points allowed.
Mike Vrabel, who spent eight seasons with the Patriots as a linebacker during their successful years, was hired about a year ago to bring the legacy of the “Patriot Way” back to a franchise that last had a winning record in 2021. His contract is reportedly worth around $14 million per year, placing him among the top earners in NFL coaching as well.
Vrabel previously led the Tennessee Titans to three consecutive playoff appearances but was let go after the 2023 season, which was marked by a second straight losing record.
Stadiums
Gillette Stadium, which opened in 2002 in Foxborough, Massachusetts, came into existence after the team considered relocating to Hartford, Connecticut. The stadium was privately financed at $325 million and was completed shortly after the team won its first Super Bowl. The Patriots are among a select few NFL teams that own their stadiums rather than being tenants of a municipality.
In addition to the stadium, the Kraft family developed Patriot Place, a 1.3 million-square-foot mixed-use district featuring shopping, dining, and entertainment facilities around the venue, which set a new standard for NFL team developments.
Over the first two decades, the Kraft family invested $300 million into stadium improvements, with $250 million worth of enhancements completed before the 2023 season.
In contrast, Lumen Field, the Seahawks’ home stadium, opened in 2002 with a $430 million budget, including $300 million in public funding. Paul Allen’s acquisition of the team was contingent on the agreement to construct a new stadium that replaced the Kingdome. Lumen Field has made headlines for breaking Guinness World Records as the loudest stadium.
As Lumen prepares to host six matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a series of upgrades is being implemented to align with FIFA regulations. The $19.4 million renovations will convert the artificial turf to natural grass, introduce a new irrigation system, upgrade the bleacher seating, and enhance security. During the event, the venue will be called Seattle Stadium, as FIFA prohibits corporate branding unless it involves an official sponsorship.
Similarly, Gillette Stadium will relinquish its name for the duration of the seven World Cup matches planned at the location.
