After cofounding Microsoft you might think everything else you do is downhill but, you are wrong. Bill Gates amigo in nerdishness, Paul Allen, keeps doing stuff that makes him one of the most interesting and important folks on the planet.

The bespectacled Allen, who looks more at home in a computer lab than he does running a sports franchise is actively involved in piloting three teams in the Pacific Northwest. In each purchase Allen probably either kept the team in the area, or in the case of his investment in the Seattle Sounders FC, established a new power base for a league.

In 1988 Allen was sitting on a pile of money from his 1975 endeavor, Microsoft. Stock options were high and the silicon bubble appeared to know no ceiling. Already involved with partner Gates in philanthropic endeavors that continue even through the recession, Allen was also looking to invest some cash in something outside of the tech industry. The Portland Trail Blazers were over 10 years removed from their title run and the franchise was stagnating. Current owner Larry Weinberg was looking to dump capital back into the California real estate market and was willing to part with the team. Allen purchased the Trail Blazers for $70M. The computer geek who was born in Seattle now owned a team that would create an I-5 corridor rivalry until the Sonics took I-90 out of town and turned to the Southwest.

In 1993 Allen grew tired of bargaining with the Rose City for a new or upgraded home for the Blazers and purchased the Rose Garden. With his opening of the purse strings refurbishing has begun. For a man with a large philanthropic streak it was but one more example of his giving nature. It is also an example of the interest Allen takes in his sports investments. Unlike other owners, Allen does not bluster to the press and threaten to roll heads. However, he is active in the operation and is visible in the war room during the NBA draft. He may not make the pick, but he will ask his brain trust why a particular player is the choice and what does he bring to both the team and the city. Having watched the Blazers turn into an episode of Cops he isn’t going to make the same mistake again.

As Allen was righting the ship in Portland an emergency was developing in his hometown. Then Seahawks owner Ken Behring didn’t like the concrete domed atrocity the team called home and threatened to move them down to NFL starved Southern California. As they did with the Sonics and the proposed move of the Mariners the city fathers totally botched the proceedings and it appeared that the LA Seahawks were a reality.

Since Portland does not have a NFL franchise league rules allowed Allen to purchase the Seahawks and keep them in the Emerald City. Having the advantage of employing one of the largest work forces in the Seattle, the Redmond, WA based Microsoft campus; Allen was able to convince the city to create tax bonds to build a new home for the Seahawks. After squatting at Husky Stadium while the King Dome was imploded and Qwest Field erected the Seahawks now have one of the premier stadiums in the league to call home.

As he has done with the Trail Blazers Allen has been actively involved in many of the personnel moves that have built the Seahawks. Included was pursuing Mike Holmgren and getting him to coach the team. From Holmgren came Hasselbeck and a trip to the Super Bowl. As all of that was unfolding the team was building a fanatic fan base that is notorious in NFL lore for making Qwest a difficult place to visit for an opposing team.

In 2007, fresh off of their Super Bowl appearance, the Seahawks 12th Man would react with explosive passion when the designated flag man would hoist the Seahawks banner up the flag pole prior to the start of a game. Local based celebrities such as Ichiro and Apolo Ohno would appear at the pole wearing a Seahawks jersey and raise the standard while the crowd howled. One game featured someone who had a more Midwest based background. Drew Carey raised the banner and while some folks let him know that the Browns sucked he was already on his way to the press booth to make an announcement.

His visit was more than an opportunity to say that he realized the Seahawks were better than his hometown NFL franchise; he has news to tell regarding yet another Allen foray into sports ownership.

During the Seahawks telecast Carey announced that he was part of a consortium that had purchased the rights to a MLS franchise that would be based in Seattle. Soccer is a risky investment in the U.S., but the financial doubt of the endeavor was removed when he announced that Paul Allen was a partner in the purchase. At the time it lacked a name, a roster and a fan base, but the beautiful game was on its way to Seattle and Paul Allen was driving the bus.

Having been long rumored to be interested in investing in Southhampton FC Allen kept his money closer to home and helped to create the Sounders FC. Sounders FC is one of the most carefully constructed and marketed franchises in recent times. They were built to tap into a disgruntled local fan base that were forced to watch their NBA franchise head to the land of prairie schooners while their baseball team suffered from bad front office management.

Once again Allen was instrumental in making Washington native Kasey Keller the first roster signing for the side. The veteran goal keeper has proved to be box office gold as he still has plenty in the tank and is a stabilizing force on the pitch. Like the Seahawks and Trail Blazers Allen knew that his young franchise needed a good hand on the tiller, so he gobbled up Sigi Schmid who brings his MLS Cup and international experience to the expansion team.

The fans have taken to the Sounders FC like they did to PC’s. And, as they don their Sounders FC scarves to show support, Allen takes portions of the gate and purchases mosquito nets to send to Africa in an effort to battle malaria. Allen makes money from men playing games, but he knows the value of real life. That’s part of the vision that has been his key to success.

Photo Credit: David Gonzales / Icon SMI