In 2019, Alexis Ohanian approached his wife about a potential multi-million dollar investment in a women’s football team. His wife, Serena Williams, a tennis legend and one of the most successful athletes in history with 23 Grand Slam titles, expressed her concerns about the challenges faced in promoting women’s sports.

Williams, deeply aware of the struggles for recognition within women’s professional sports beyond tennis, was apprehensive. However, Ohanian, a co-founder of Reddit, envisioned a different future, inspired by his wife’s phenomenal achievements. For him, her success was a testament to what women’s football could achieve.

“This year, more Americans will tune into the US Open women’s final than the men’s, which is remarkable,” he noted. Ohanian credited icons like Billie Jean King for advocating equal pay and highlighted how Serena and Venus Williams significantly raised awareness around women’s sports in the U.S.

The couple’s encounter took place in 2015 in Rome at the Cavalieri hotel during the Italian Open. Now residing in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, they are parents to two daughters, Olympia and Adira. Ohanian embraces the label of being “Serena’s husband” with ease.

Despite her initial hesitations, Ohanian launched Angel City FC in Los Angeles in partnership with other investors, including actress Natalie Portman, in 2019. The team’s recent sale to Bob Iger of the Walt Disney Company for $250 million made it the most valuable women’s football team globally.

This past Sunday marked a significant development as Ohanian announced a £20 million investment for a 10 percent stake in Chelsea Women’s Football Club, with the valuation set at £200 million. Serena attended the FA Cup final wearing Chelsea colors, acting as a supporter for the team during their 3-0 victory over Manchester United.

Ohanian discussed how witnessing the Lionesses win the UEFA Women’s Euro in July 2022 played a crucial role in piquing his interest in English women’s football. “It represented a pivotal moment for England to claim victory,” he remarked.

This victory ignited Ohanian’s ambition, further encouraged by his history of supporting successful ventures. He co-founded Reddit and sold it for $10 million before later rejoining as executive chairman. Notably, he made a savvy investment in cryptocurrency, purchasing Ethereum for $15,000 in 2014 and later converting it to $50 million.

Ohanian recognized the Lionesses’ triumph as a transformative stage in women’s sports, enabling pride among a new generation of fans. Hailing from Maryland, he has personal ties to sports, having played soccer as a child and after restrictions on American football participation.

He noted differing perceptions of women’s football between the U.S. and the UK; in America, it holds a unique status due to the success of the women’s national team, unlike the men’s side, which lacks a similar legacy.

Chelsea Women, unlike the nascent Angel City FC, thrive in their league, having secured this year’s Women’s Super League title, finishing 12 points above second-place Arsenal, and going undefeated in the previous season.

In a strategic move, Todd Boehly, owner of the men’s Chelsea team, restructured the women’s side, appointing Aki Mandhar as chief executive and allowing investors like Ohanian to contribute towards the women’s team. He observes a rapid shift in how brands view women’s sports, stating, “There has been a long history of neglect, but that is changing swiftly.”

As part of his role on the board, Ohanian aims to enhance research on injury prevention and the effects of menstrual cycles on athletic performance. He asserts the lack of investment in this area is concerning, insisting that support from Chelsea could catalyze significant advancements across women’s football. He lamented that in many clubs, women’s teams still suffer from being seen as secondary.

Currently, Chelsea Women lack a dedicated stadium, playing at the Kingsmeadow stadium in Kingston upon Thames and Wheatsheaf Park in Staines, both with limited capacities. Ohanian hinted at potential developments, saying, “We aim to create the best match day experience possible.”

Ohanian’s investment aligns with a growing trend of U.S. investors entering the British football landscape. Notably, Tom Brady acquired shares in Birmingham City, while actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham FC, achieving promotion from the fifth division to the Championship, a journey documented in the Disney series about their adventure. While Ohanian has no plans for a television series, he acknowledges the influence of Wrexham’s success.

“Rob has an impressive vision; he has turned Wrexham into an unexpectedly popular team even among U.S. fans,” Ohanian mentioned. He highlighted that crafting compelling narratives for players and their communities can create a loyal following, even across oceans.