Tech mogul Vinod Khosla and his wife Neeru are buying the Seattle Seahawks for a record $9.6 billion.After Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen passed away in 2018, his sister Jody has controlled the team on behalf of his estate.Vinod Khosla is preparing to take over the SeahawksGettyFollowing a Super Bowl triumph, she obeyed his wishes and sold the team, as well as the NBA‘s Portland Trail Blazers, with the proceeds going to charity once the deal has been ratified by the NFL.The previous record was the Washington Commanders going for just over $6 billion in 2023.Franchise valuations are only going up and understandably there aren’t many owners looking to cash in on their investments.But two teams could be available in the coming years with succession plans already lined up.Allen went out on a highGettyLas Vegas RaidersMark Davis’ father Al became principal owner in 1972 and had won the Super Bowl three times by 1984.The owner was enshrined in the Hall of Fame two decades after he bought the team and passed away as a football icon in 2011.Mark took over operational control and ran the franchise alongside Mom Carol, who passed away last year aged 93.NFL rules require owners to have a succession plan in place and Davis, who does not have children, saw his confirmed by his fellow owners in April.Silver Lake co-chief executive officer Egon Durban, who already owns a minority stake, will be given the chance to purchase a controlling interest if the Las Vegas owner passes away.Davis has sold off chunks of the team in recent years, with Tom Brady among the beneficiaries, but the 71-year-old is not looking to sell up.Davis also owns the Las Vegas AcesGetty“Absolutely everything runs exactly the way it’s been.” Davis told Raiders.com. “The NFL forces you to have a succession plan. “And up until [five] months ago, my mom and I were both alive and my mom passed away.”Forbes valued the Raiders at $7.7 billion in 2025, but recent minority sales saw it hit the $11 billion mark, suggesting any future sale would smash the Seahawks’ record.New Orleans SaintsNew Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson took over from her late husband Tom in 2018 and has no heirs to pass the teams down to.In 2018, she laid out a succession plan with the aim of keeping the treasured franchises in the Big Easy.The NFL approved the arrangement, which is similar to the deal that saw Terry and Kim Pegula take over the Buffalo Bills after Ralph Wilson died in 2014.Saints president Dennis Lauscha would serve as the executor of Benson’s estate and sell the teams with proceeds distributed to charities that benefit the people of New Orleans.“I can’t take it with me,” said Benson. “God gives us gifts, and this is a gift. I am a steward for this [organization]. And we help other people with it. My wish is to scatter all the good and gifts that God and Tom have given me to this city and community.”The lease on Ceasar’s Superdome has been extended through 2035 and the team will be going nowhere as the NFL has a policy against teams breaching a lease agreement to switch markets. “I want to make sure that we keep the teams here,” Benson added in 2018. “I want them to stay in New Orleans forever.”Tom and Hayle Benson celebrate the Super Bowl XLIV win at Mardi GrasGettyBenson has overseen a winning football team in New Orleans, although the Pelicans have struggled.The 79-year-old is not planning on going anywhere any time soon.“Let me be clear about this: The teams are not for sale. That’s in capital letters,” she said in 2025. “I want everybody to know the teams are not for sale.“I get tired of people asking me. I’m going to turn 79 in January, but I’m pretty healthy.”Forbes valued the Saints at $5.3 billion in 2025 — 31st in the league.