When entrepreneur and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian started to think about investing in women’s soccer, opposition to the idea came from an unlikely source: His wife, tennis legend Serena Williams. “When I first told Serena I was gonna buy or start a women’s soccer team here in the States, she actually tried to talk me out of it, because I think she had been so exposed to the infrastructure around women’s sports,” Ohanian explained to CNN Sports. “Because of her lived experience, she actually was trying to talk me out of it because she had to kick down a lot of doors.” Ohanian, who this month purchased a minority stake in England’s Chelsea FC Women, explained that such close proximity to the 23-time grand slam singles champion and her sister, Venus, showed “proof of the business viability of women’s professional sports.” Ohanian was the founding investor of Angel City FC, a Los Angeles-based team that began playing in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2022 – the top division of the women’s game in the US. The club then became the most valuable women’s professional sports team in the world after a huge takeover agreement in 2024. Ohanian, whose investment in Chelsea is reported by British media to be worth more than $26 million for a 10% share of the club, is just one of many putting cash into women’s sports. His investment announcement comes in the same month as the defending WNBA champion New York Liberty reportedly raised capital from investors at $450 million in what is thought to be a record valuation for a professional women’s sports franchise, according to The Athletic, who cited sources familiar with the deal. Meanwhile, Ohanian’s wife, Serena, is a minority owner of Angel City and Tiger Woods’ and Rory McIlroy’s innovative golf league the TGL, the Miami Dolphins – along with sister Venus – and in March, announced her ownership role in the expansion Canadian WNBA franchise, the Toronto Tempo. Ohanian said that he saw the reluctance of others to invest in women’s soccer as an opportunity. “When experts in a space try to talk me out of it, that’s actually when I tend to lean in more because it tells me that sort of dissent or that pushback is usually where there’s a tremendous opportunity for innovation and progress,” he said. Opportunity and ‘work to be done’ The 42-year-old Ohanian announced the deal to invest in Chelsea Women earlier in May, saying he was “proud” to help the “iconic club” – already one of the most successful teams in women’s soccer – become the most popular Women’s Super League (WSL) team in the US. “I think a lot of well-intentioned people historically have supported women’s sports in a way that … actually held it back because it was viewed too much as charity, or they led with things like, ‘Oh, I’m doing this because I have a daughter,’” he told CNN. “No, I’m doing this because I think these are tremendous athletes.” He added that sports and incredible athletes are going to thrive in a time of growing use of artificial intelligence because “the types of entertainment that are going to endure are the ones that are fundamentally human.” In 2024, Ohanian founded Athlos, a women’s-only track and field event that debuted later that year. The event offers $60,000 for race winners and aims to champion female athletes across the world. “One of the north stars for me five years ago – when I started on this journey of building, investing in and around women’s professional sports – has been: This investment isn’t just in the clubs, it’s in the surrounding infrastructure that’s gonna flow through every level of women’s sports. “For 100 years, professional sports has been by men for men. And when there have been women and women’s teams, in many ways, they’ve been literally treated as just small men, which is pretty ridiculous, right?” he explained to CNN Sports. Ohanian said that teams like Chelsea, who this month secured a sixth consecutive WSL title, a domestic treble and remained unbeaten for 22 consecutive games, offer “a chance to show folks something really, really special.” “I’m glad the discourse has now shifted where people are realizing there’s real opportunity here, but there’s still so much more work to be done, and I really believe that this club could and should be the first billion dollar franchise, billion dollar club in women’s sports.”
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian talks to CNN about investment into Chelsea Women and women’s sports
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Alexis Ohanian Discusses Investment in Chelsea FC Women and the Future of Women's Sports"
CNN
8.3
TruthLens AI Summary
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and investor in women's sports, recently discussed his investment in Chelsea FC Women during an interview with CNN Sports. His decision to invest in women's soccer, despite initial resistance from his wife, tennis icon Serena Williams, stems from a broader conviction about the potential of women's professional sports. Williams, who has experienced the challenges of the sports industry firsthand, expressed her concerns about the infrastructure surrounding women's sports. However, Ohanian's exposure to both Williams and her sister Venus has reinforced his belief in the business viability of women's athletics. His recent purchase of a minority stake in Chelsea FC Women, valued at over $26 million for a 10% share, is part of a growing trend where significant investments are being made in women's sports. This investment aligns with the recent record valuation of the WNBA champion New York Liberty, which reportedly raised $450 million, highlighting the increasing financial backing for women's professional sports franchises.
Ohanian's philosophy regarding investment in women's sports challenges the traditional perceptions that have often overshadowed these endeavors. He argues that well-intentioned support has sometimes inadvertently hindered women's sports by treating them as charity rather than as legitimate business opportunities. He emphasizes that the focus should be on the incredible talent of female athletes, rather than on the narrative of supporting women because of family ties. In addition to his stake in Chelsea, Ohanian has founded Athlos, a women-only track and field event aimed at promoting female athletes globally. He envisions a future where teams like Chelsea, which recently secured a sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title, can become billion-dollar franchises. Ohanian acknowledges that while progress has been made, there remains significant work to be done to ensure women's sports receive the recognition and investment they deserve, and he believes Chelsea has the potential to lead this charge in the coming years.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides an insight into Alexis Ohanian’s investment in women’s soccer, specifically his recent minority stake acquisition in Chelsea FC Women. It highlights the broader trend of increasing investments in women’s sports, showcasing the business viability of these ventures. The discussion also touches on the initial skepticism from his wife, Serena Williams, which adds a personal dimension to the narrative.
Investment in Women’s Sports
Ohanian’s decision to invest in Chelsea Women is framed within a larger context of growing financial interest in women’s sports. The mention of significant investments in franchises like the New York Liberty, which reached a record $450 million valuation, illustrates a shift in perception towards women's professional athletics. This indicates a potential recognition of the market’s profitability, suggesting that women's sports are becoming increasingly mainstream and viable.
Personal Narrative and Skepticism
The article shares a personal anecdote about Serena Williams expressing concerns over the investment due to her experiences in the sports industry. This narrative serves to highlight the challenges faced by women in sports and reinforces the notion that while opportunities are growing, substantial barriers still exist. The contrasting views between Ohanian and Williams provide depth to the discussion about investment in women's sports.
Public Perception and Community Impact
By discussing Ohanian’s investments, the article aims to foster a positive perception of women’s sports, potentially encouraging others to consider similar investments. It also aims to inspire confidence among fans and stakeholders that women's sports are deserving of financial backing and support. This could ultimately lead to increased visibility and funding for women's teams, impacting the sports community positively.
Economic and Market Implications
The financial involvement of high-profile investors like Ohanian can have significant implications for the economy of women’s sports. Increased investment may lead to better facilities, higher salaries for players, and improved marketing strategies, which can elevate the profile of women's sports further. This trend could influence stock movements for companies associated with these franchises or sports marketing.
Potential Manipulation and Trustworthiness
While the article presents a largely positive view of Ohanian’s investments, the framing could be seen as subtly manipulative, suggesting an inevitability of success in women’s sports without fully addressing ongoing challenges. However, the information provided appears to be credible, as it is backed by financial data and personal testimonies. The overall narrative seems to promote the growth of women’s sports, which has a beneficial societal impact, yet it may gloss over the systemic issues that still need to be addressed.
In conclusion, the article effectively highlights the rising trend of investment in women’s sports while providing a personal touch through the lens of Ohanian and Williams. It aims to create a favorable perception of women’s athletics and encourages future investment in this growing sector.