Alexis Ohanian Discusses Investment in Women’s Soccer Amid Challenges

London, England – Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis star Serena Williams, discussed his recent investment in Chelsea FC Women, a club competing in the Women’s Super League (WSL). The investment of £20 million (approximately $26.89 million) values the London-based team at about £200 million.

Ohanian’s entry into women’s soccer has been met with some skepticism, particularly from Williams, who initially tried to dissuade him from the venture. She expressed concerns over the lack of infrastructure in women’s sports, expressing that she has encountered significant barriers throughout her career.

“Serena actually tried to talk me out of it,” Ohanian stated during an interview with CNN. “Because of her lived experience … Because she had to kick down a lot of doors.” He emphasized that understanding the challenges faced by women in sports has shaped his approach to investment.

Despite the hurdles, Ohanian sees considerable growth potential for Chelsea, especially after the club celebrated a treble of domestic trophies last week, marking their sixth consecutive WSL title. He believes there is a shift happening in how women’s sports are perceived.

“Too many people historically have supported women’s sports in a way that actually held it back because it was viewed too much as charity,” he said. “I’m glad the discourse has now shifted, but there’s still so much more work to be done. I really believe that this club could and should be the first billion-dollar club in women’s sports.”