From My Madison Living Room to the Boardroom: The Seahawks, Super Bowl 60, and Estate Planning

From My Madison Living Room to the Boardroom: The Seahawks, Super Bowl 60, and Estate Planning

By Melinda Gustafson Gervasi

February 13, 2026

Superbowl 60 is now in the books, and the Seattle Seahawks were crowned World Champions.  Even though I live deep in Green Bay Packer Country (our home is in Madison, Wisconsin), we follow the Seahawks religiously because my oldest child has been a huge fan since his elementary school years.  As parents we’ve made it a goal to support our children to follow their own path rather than follow the pack.  Which is why this past Sunday the lower level of our house was full with his teenage buddies, cheering the Seahawks on their path to victory.

With the game behind us, news of the Seahawks has taken another, expected turn.  We’ve all seen the headlines: “Jody Allen to sell the Seahawks to honor her late brother, Paul Allen.” It’s a touching sentiment. It paints a picture of a grieving sister making a personal choice to carry out a final request. But as an estate planning and probate attorney, I know that the "why" and the "how" are governed by something much more rigid than sentiment: The Trust Agreement.

Journalism thrives on simplicity, but estate planning lives in the details. To say Jody Allen is "selling the team" implies personal ownership and personal discretion.  In reality, Jody Allen doesn't own the Seahawks; the Paul G. Allen Trust does. As the Trustee, she isn't acting on a whim or a sense of sibling loyalty—she is executing a legal mandate. When a trust document dictates the liquidation of assets, the Trustee is legally bound to follow those instructions.

Misleading headlines like these distort the public’s understanding of how probate and trusts actually work. They make it seem like a Trustee’s role is a suggestion rather than a job. The Seahawks situation highlights two critical pillars of choosing a Trustee that every client needs to consider: Skill and Intent.

A trustee must have the professional acumen to handle complex assets, taxes, and timing.  Moreover, because trusts are private documents, there is often no immediate court oversight. You are essentially handing someone the keys to your life’s work and trusting them to follow the map you drew, even when no one is looking over their shoulder.  When you appoint a Trustee, you aren't just choosing a representative; you are choosing a fiduciary. You need someone who has the "good intention" to put the document's instructions above their own ego or public perception. 

Whether it’s a NFL team or a family farm, the lesson remains: Your estate plan is only as strong as the person you choose to steer the ship. Don’t let the headlines fool you—estate planning isn't about "honoring" someone’s memory in the abstract; it’s about the disciplined execution of a legal contract.

A blog is not meant to be legal advice; it is meant to spark thought and reflection.  Please consult with a licensed attorney in your home state for advice specific to your situation.  Thank you for reading.  If you found this post helpful, consider posting it on your favorite social media and/or making a donation above via “Buy Me a Coffee”.