Reddit Co-Founder and Husband to Serena Williams Alexis Ohanian Buys 8% Stake in Chelsea Women, Joins Club’s Board

Serena Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, buys stake in Chelsea Women

Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband to tennis legend Serena Williams, has acquired an 8% ownership stake in Chelsea Women, marking a significant investment into one of Europe’s leading women’s football teams. Ohanian, 42, will also take a seat on the club’s board, further integrating himself into the team’s future direction and growth strategy.

The deal, which reportedly values Chelsea Women at approximately £245 million, reflects Ohanian’s continued commitment to elevating women’s sports. He already holds a stake in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team Angel City FC in the United States.

Announcing the move, Ohanian stated: “I’ve bet big on women’s sports before — and I’m doing it again. I’m proud to announce that I’m joining as an investor and board member. I’m honored for the chance to help this iconic club become America’s favorite team and much, much more.”

The announcement follows Chelsea’s 2023-24 financial disclosures, which revealed that ownership of the women’s team was officially transferred to Blueco 22 Midco Limited, an entity within Chelsea’s broader ownership structure, on June 28, 2023. This transfer occurred just two days before the club’s annual financial accounts were due and contributed to a £198.7 million gain from the sale. The windfall helped Chelsea record a pre-tax profit of £128.4 million, enabling them to stay compliant with profitability and sustainability regulations.

On the pitch, Chelsea Women have had a dominant season, going undefeated under new head coach Sonia Bompastor, who succeeded Emma Hayes after her departure to manage the United States Women’s National Team. The team claimed the Women’s Super League title and secured the League Cup with a win over Manchester City in the final. However, their European campaign ended in the Champions League semi-finals at the hands of Barcelona. Chelsea now prepares to face Manchester United in the FA Cup final as they aim to complete a treble-winning season.

Ohanian praised the squad’s achievements, stating, “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.”