Seahawks owner Vinod Khosla fires shots at Barstool Sports over NFL fandom drama

Seattle Seahawks owner Vinod Khosla has hit back at Barstool Sports after his fandom for the Pittsburgh Steelers became a talking point following his introductory press conference.

Khosla made it clear that while his history as a Steelers fan remains, there should be no confusion about where his allegiance lies now that he is the owner of the Seahawks.

The latest exchange began after Barstool Sports highlighted comments from Khosla’s introductory press conference in which he revealed that he became a Steelers fan after arriving in Pittsburgh in the 1970s and still watches their games.

Photo by Big Event Media/Getty Images for HumanX Conference

Khosla did not appear impressed with the attention his comments received and responded directly to the outlet on X.

Khosla explained that his time in Pittsburgh while attending Carnegie Mellon helped spark his interest in the NFL, but insisted that his continued support for the Steelers does not affect his responsibilities as Seahawks owner.

“Reporters will make every molehill into a mountain just to get column inches to write or video minutes. What’s wrong with admitting my 1976-78 period in Pittsburgh (CMU) got me excited about the NFL? I still watch their games doesn’t mean I won’t unconditionally ALWAYS as owner, want the @Seahawks to win and have every edge up, EVERY TIME over every other team!!!! Zero questions!!! At the other end is a set of teams I always want to lose every advantage. But happy to have the sports writer getting more column inches and fill their pages. You are welcome. Apologies in advance for my very transparent style,” Khosla wrote on X.

That response came after Barstool Sports circulated a clip from his introductory press conference and questioned whether revealing his Steelers fandom was something a new Seahawks owner should do.

“What not to do during your opening press conference as the new Seahawks owner?” Barstool wrote on X, before highlighting Khosla’s allegiance to Pittsburgh.

During the press conference, Khosla explained that he came to the United States in 1976, when Pittsburgh was in the middle of its dominant run under Chuck Noll.

“I was originally and still am a big Steelers fan,” Khosla said, adding that he still watches Pittsburgh’s games, according to video from the Seahawks.

Khosla has now attempted to draw a clear distinction between being a longtime supporter of a team and his responsibilities as an NFL owner.

He said there are teams he wants “to lose every advantage,” while reiterating that there should be “zero questions” about wanting Seattle to win.