Sports Business

Seahawks’ Financial Line Is Solid as the Season Approaches

Seahawks appear financially sound as season nears

By Rob Smith August 2, 2019

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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.

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