Women’s Super League champions Chelsea have confirmed that Reddit founder and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, Alexis Ohanian has purchased a stake in the London club.
The 42-year-old billionaire will have a seat on Chelsea Women’s board after purchasing a 8-10% share of the club, believed to be worth around £20m.
“This is a landmark day in the history of Chelsea Women and for women’s football in Europe and beyond,” said Aki Mandhar, chief executive Chelsea Women. “This investment is validation of the club’s past success but more importantly it is yet another proof point in the market of the persistent growth and potential of women’s football.”
Mandhar added, “There is no greater champion of investing in the future of girls and women’s sports than Alexis, and we are incredibly proud to welcome him to the club.”
Ohanian has invested in women’s football previously, as the largest shareholder in American club side Angel City FC until it was sold in 2024 for £192.3m – the highest price for a women’s sports team until this deal.
“As Founding Control Owner of Angel City FC, I’ve seen the opportunity to create and grow a worldwide brand within women’s football, and I’m confident Chelsea FC Women is the next global women’s sports brand,” said Ohanian.
Ohanian’s investment of roughly £20m puts the value of Chelsea Women at more than £200m, which was the worth placed on the club when Chelsea FC Holdings sold the team to a sister company earlier this year to help the club adhere to profit and sustainability rules.