What happened: NFL owners have been given August 26 to keep open for a special meeting to vote on the sale of the Seahawks, sources said. The meeting would formally consider the deal for a group led by 49ers limited partner Vinod Khosla to buy the franchise for a reported $9.6 billion.

Why it matters: League approval is required before any franchise sale becomes official, making the August 26 vote the next concrete step toward closing what is already the largest sale price in NFL history. A yes vote would clear the way for new ownership in Seattle.

What to watch: Owners are set to vote on the sale at the August 26 special meeting.