As a sports franchise owner, and simply as a fan, Paul Allen is likely one incredibly happy man right now.
The Microsoft co-founder is just 12 hours removed from one of the most epic NFL playoff games ever, with Allen’s Seahawks edging out rival San Francisco, 23-17, to win the NFC Championship and advance its second Super Bowl ever.
Allen, who bought the team in 1997 and essentially saved the Seahawks from leaving Seattle, was visible during Sunday’s national broadcast twice.
Before the game, he had the honor of raising the 12th Man flag — a game-day ritual performed by a prominent member of the Seattle/Seahawks community, and something Allen hadn’t done since the last time Seattle hosted an NFC Championship seven years ago.
Then, during the on-field celebration and trophy presentation, Allen answered a few questions from FOX’s Terry Bradshaw.
“The last time I talked to you — the only time I talked to you — was when you won in 2006 to go to the Super Bowl,” Bradshaw asked. “How does this feel tonight?”
“This feels even sweeter,” Allen told the crowd. “I mean, the support from the 12th man this year has been amazing.”
Allen then lifted the NFC Championship trophy up in the air, saluted the buzzing crowd, and continued.
“The job done by Coach [Pete] Carroll and [Seahawks general manager] John Schneider to put this team together has been amazing, too,” Allen said. “And how about the players? What an amazing job in a super tough game.”
But Allen’s recent accomplishments as an owner don’t stop with the NFL. His NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers, has surprised nearly everyone this year with its excellent play and currently sits atop the NBA with the league’s best record nearly halfway through the pro hoops season. It was Allen who helped orchestrate a number of Trail Blazers personnel moves — just like he did with the current Seahawks team — that have looked pretty darn impressive thus far.
And to complete Allen’s on-fire sports ownership success, there’s also the Seattle Sounders. Allen is a co-owner of the professional soccer team, which is arguably the most valuable organization in the MLS.
For more about Allen’s path to becoming a sports franchise owner and how he handles the job, check out this detailed story from The Seattle Times that published a few days ago.
