Would the NFL Approve Elon Musk the Owner? Plus, a Seattle NFL-NBA Double

The Connecticut Sun’s recent sale to Tilman Fertitta for roughly $300 million marks a decisive shift for the WNBA franchise. Fertitta, already the Houston Rockets owner, plans to relocate the team to Houston and revive the historic Comets brand. League officials favored his bid over local proposals from Boston’s Steve Pagliuca and Hartford’s Mark Lazzari, despite comparable $325 million offers, because Fertitta brings an engaged owner and a larger market, aligning with the WNBA’s growth strategy.

Across the country, Seattle emerges as a unique case where both an NFL franchise and a potential NBA expansion team could change hands simultaneously. Analysts estimate that acquiring the Seahawks and a new NBA franchise would require about $5‑6 billion in cash, factoring in NFL‑allowed private‑equity participation and higher debt ceilings. The city’s population, corporate base, and sports‑loving fan culture make it an attractive target for billionaire consortia, with names like Elon Musk, Larry Page, and the Nordstrom family frequently cited as possible investors.

These developments underscore how evolving league rules are reshaping the economics of team ownership. Recent NFL adjustments now permit a 10 percent private‑equity stake and raise debt limits, while the NBA’s expansion plans in Seattle promise lucrative entry points for capital‑rich groups. As franchise valuations climb, the pool of qualified buyers expands, but strategic considerations—market size, local support, and league alignment—remain decisive. The convergence of high‑profile bids and regulatory flexibility signals a new era of multi‑team ownership possibilities for the world’s most valuable sports properties.