Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and prominent tech investor, has acquired a minority stake in Chelsea FC Women, expanding his portfolio of investments in top-tier women’s sports franchises.
According to a source familiar with the transaction, Ohanian paid £20 million for a 10% stake in the Women’s Super League (WSL) champions, valuing the club at £200 million. This valuation makes Chelsea FC Women the most valuable women’s sports team in the world based on current exchange rates.
The deal grants Ohanian a seat on the board of directors, further solidifying his influence within the club’s operations. Ohanian, who also co-owns the National Women’s Soccer League’s Angel City FC alongside figures such as Disney CEO Bob Iger and Willow Bay, confirmed the investment in a post on social media platform X.
“I’ve bet big on women’s sports before — and I’m doing it again,” he wrote.
Chelsea FC Women are a dominant force in English football, having claimed six consecutive WSL titles. Ohanian sees the club as a prime opportunity to build a global brand in the fast-growing women’s sports sector.
“I’m confident Chelsea FC Women is the next global women’s sports brand,” he said.
In an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box on Thursday, Ohanian highlighted the club’s strong digital presence, noting Chelsea’s 4 million Instagram followers as a key factor in his investment decision.
“As a social media guy, I look for heat online in the free market of attention,” Ohanian said. “If this were any other type of brand, there is a lot of revenue opportunity there.”
He also emphasized his belief in the long-term business potential of women’s sports, which he argues have historically been undervalued.
“Brands are just beginning to realize the value here,” he said. “We will see billion-dollar clubs in women’s soccer one day in the not-too-distant future.”
Ohanian stepped down from Reddit’s board in 2020 to focus on creating generational wealth and legacy projects for his family. In 2024, he revealed that he had invested $250,000 from his daughters’ trust fund into Angel City FC, making them the youngest owners in professional sports — and millionaires.
His wife, tennis legend Serena Williams, recently joined the ownership group of the new WNBA expansion team Toronto Tempo, while Ohanian has also launched a women’s track and field competition.