Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of the social media platform Reddit and husband of the tennis legend Serena Williams, says he has invested in the Chelsea women’s team in order to “finally match their talent with the resources and respect they deserve”.
It was reported earlier on Wednesday that the American entrepreneur had bought a 10% stake in the Women’s Super League champions for £20m and, while there has been no official comment from Chelsea, Ohanian confirmed the news on social media.
“I’ve bet big on women’s sports before – and I’m doing it again,” he wrote on LinkedIn. “I’m proud to announce that I’m joining Chelsea Women FC as an investor and board member. I’m honoured for the chance to help this iconic club become every American’s favourite WSL team and much, much more.”
Sonia Bompastor’s side – who did not lose a single league fixture this term – will bid to complete a domestic treble when they meet Manchester United at Wembley in the Women’s FA Cup final on Sunday, and Ohanian said: “These players are rewriting the game. Undefeated season. Eyes on the treble. But this isn’t just about winning titles. It’s about finally matching their talent with the resources, visibility and respect they deserve. I’ve been right about this before and I couldn’t be more excited.”
The 42-year-old also praised the Chelsea women’s chief executive, Aki Mandhar, saying: “Her integrity and focus on a standard of excellence were a huge factor in why this was such a ‘hell yes’-type investment.”
Ohanian also appeared to endorse the reported £20m figure, originally reported in the Times, by replying to a post on X that quoted £20m with the words: “Up the Chels!”
That investment values the women’s arm of the club at £200m, the same valuation that was given when the club’s parent company sold the women’s club to a related company, Blueco 22 Midco Ltd, last June, in an apparent effort to ensure the men’s team complied with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules for last season.
Ohanian previously invested in the Los Angeles-based independent women’s football club, Angel City, which was sold last year for an NWSL-record-breaking $250m to the Disney chief executive, Bob Iger.
