Alexis Ohanian, alongside his wife Serena Williams and daughter, saw Chelsea complete the domestic treble at Wembley "Queens of global soccer" Chelsea will become a "billion-dollar franchise", according to new co-owner Alexis Ohanian. The Reddit founderhas bought an 8-10% stakebelieved to be worth about £20m in the domestic treble winners - an investment Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor called a"game-changing endorsement". Ohanian, who is married to former tennis player Serena Williams, is no stranger to investing in women's football, having previously been the largest shareholder in American side Angel City FC until it was sold for £192.3m in 2024. He has also founded a women-only athletics event named Athlos. The American hopes his involvement will help the Blues become "America's team" and put them at the "forefront of women's sport". "Chelsea is very unique. These are the queens of global soccer, and they've got the trophy case to prove it. This is a very special club," Ohanian told BBC Sport. The 42-year-old was present at Wembley, alongside his wife, for the Women's FA Cup final against Manchester United,which Chelsea won 3-0to complete the domestic treble without losing a match. However, while they have been dominant domestically, they were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals this season, beaten 8-2 on aggregate by holders Barcelona. "The sky is the limit," continued Ohanian. "You heard our president say this club is unapologetically ambitious - I want to get that tattooed on me. "That is what we're trying to build here - the best team in the world and at the forefront of women's sport. "This will be a billion-dollar franchise one day. I hope my dollars, my pounds, can go towards that and especially back home in America. This is going to be America's team." Chelsea completed the domestic treble at Wembley Manager Bompastor says her side's victory at Wembley was "the best way" to welcome Chelsea's newest investor to the club. Ohanian was accompanied by Williams and one of their two children at the final, and had the opportunity to meet Bompastor and her players for the first time since his investment was made public. On their meeting, Bompastor said: "It was really nice. When I found out about the news, I was really excited for them to join the club. "They were here to show their support. You can feel from the beginning they have the right mentality coming into Chelsea. "This was the best way to welcome them, with this game, this final, and this result. "These people are so passionate about women and women's sport. It's so nice to have them around, enjoy it, and be with them in these moments." Before the final, Bompastor praised the potential impact of Ohanian's investment, stating it would not only support the club's on-field ambitions, which include a maiden Women's Champions League title, but also make them a "model" for other teams. "It just shows we are in a really great place, but we still want to be an even better team, and we want to be one of the best teams in the world," she said. "That means results on the pitch, but also we want to be a model outside the pitch. We want to make sure that when young girls look at our team they just dream of being one of our players in the future." Head here to get involved
Chelsea will be billion-dollar franchise - Ohanian
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Alexis Ohanian Predicts Chelsea Will Evolve into a Billion-Dollar Franchise"
Bbc News
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
Alexis Ohanian, the co-owner of Chelsea Football Club, has made a bold statement about the club's future, predicting that it will become a billion-dollar franchise. Ohanian, who recently acquired an 8-10% stake in Chelsea, valued at around £20 million, attended the Women's FA Cup final at Wembley where Chelsea secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Manchester United, thereby completing a domestic treble without suffering a single defeat. This investment has been deemed a significant endorsement by Chelsea's manager, Sonia Bompastor, who expressed excitement over Ohanian's involvement. Ohanian, who is also known for his previous investment in women's football through Angel City FC, aims to elevate Chelsea's profile in the United States and position the club as a leader in women's sports globally. He emphasized the importance of ambition and the potential for Chelsea to become 'America's team', reflecting on the club's impressive trophy collection and competitive spirit.
During his visit to Wembley, Ohanian was accompanied by his wife, tennis star Serena Williams, and their daughter, marking a family affair that underscored their commitment to supporting women's sports. Manager Bompastor welcomed Ohanian and his family warmly, appreciating their passion for women's football and the positive impact their investment could have on the club. She highlighted that Ohanian's involvement would not only bolster Chelsea's aspirations for success on the pitch, particularly in pursuit of a Women's Champions League title, but also establish the club as a model for other teams. Both Ohanian and Bompastor share a vision of inspiring young girls to aspire to play for Chelsea, reinforcing the club's role in advancing women's sports. As Chelsea looks to the future, the combination of strong leadership, strategic investment, and a commitment to excellence positions them favorably for continued success.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights Alexis Ohanian's recent investment in Chelsea FC, emphasizing his belief that the club will evolve into a billion-dollar franchise. Ohanian's perspective brings attention to the growing significance of women's football and the potential for Chelsea to increase their global influence.
Investment Implications
Ohanian's stake in Chelsea, estimated at £20 million, is positioned as a transformative move for the club. His prior experience as the largest shareholder of Angel City FC, coupled with his ambitions for Chelsea, underscores a trend in investing that combines sports with social impact. This narrative promotes a sense of optimism and ambition, aiming to appeal to both fans and potential investors who see value in aligning with successful franchises.
Public Perception
The article seeks to cultivate a perception of Chelsea as a leader in women's sports, reinforcing their status after winning the domestic treble. By labeling Chelsea as the "queens of global soccer," the narrative aims to inspire loyalty and excitement among supporters, while also attracting a broader audience in the United States. This is particularly significant given Ohanian's ties to American culture through his marriage to Serena Williams.
Potential Omissions
While the focus is on the positive aspects of the investment and the club's achievements, there may be a lack of emphasis on Chelsea's recent performance in the Champions League, where they were eliminated by Barcelona. This omission could suggest an intent to portray a more favorable image of the club, potentially glossing over challenges that could affect future success.
Manipulative Elements
The language used in the article, including phrases like "the sky is the limit" and "unapologetically ambitious," aims to create a narrative of unbounded potential. This could be seen as a form of manipulation, enticing fans and investors by painting an overly optimistic picture of the club's future without addressing potential pitfalls or competition.
Comparative Context
In the broader context of sports news, this article aligns with a trend of highlighting investments in women's sports, especially as visibility and support for these teams grow. The emphasis on Ohanian's ambition may resonate with other narratives in the sports sector, where financial backing is seen as essential for success.
Economic Impact
This news could influence market sentiment, especially for stakeholders in the sports and entertainment sectors. As Chelsea aims to become "America's team," it may attract new sponsorships or partnerships that could elevate its market value. Investors in sports franchises or related industries may find this development particularly relevant.
Community Support
Ohanian's involvement is likely to resonate with communities that prioritize women’s empowerment and sports equity. His background and personal connections, particularly with Serena Williams, may also attract female audiences and younger demographics who are increasingly engaged in sports.
Global Power Dynamics
While the article primarily focuses on a sports narrative, the underlying themes of investment and growth in women's sports may reflect broader societal shifts regarding gender equity and representation. The increasing prominence of female athletes and teams could influence global perceptions of sports culture.
The writing style appears straightforward and lacks indications of AI utilization, maintaining a human touch in conveying Ohanian's vision and the club's achievements. However, the carefully curated language may give an impression of marketing rather than a purely journalistic approach.
In conclusion, the article presents a largely favorable depiction of Chelsea's future under Ohanian's investment while selectively omitting certain challenges. The overall message is one of optimism and ambition, aiming to galvanize support for Chelsea as a leading force in women's football.