• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 31, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

Alexis Ohanian Buys Minority Stake in Chelsea Women’s FC

Alexis Ohanian adds to a growing sports investment portfolio with his Chelsea Women’s deal.

Los Angeles Golf Club owners Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams cheer for their team against the New York Golf Club during the TGL semifinal match at SoFi Center on March 17, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Imagn Images

Alexis Ohanian is buying into Chelsea Women’s FC in a deal that values the club at more than £200 million ($265 million), Front Office Sports has learned.

Ohanian confirmed to FOS that he is investing in the club and will take a seat on its board. He declined to disclose the size of the stake he is buying or the price he is paying, although U.K. outlet The Times reported he’s purchasing a roughly 10% stake for about £20 million ($26.5 million). The deal values Chelsea at more than £200 million, a source familiar with the matter told FOS.

Ohanian, the cofounder of Reddit, is making the investment through his venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, and his business partner at the firm, Katelin Holloway, will be involved in the investment, the source said.

Ohanian told FOS his wife, tennis legend Serena Williams, is not involved in the investment.

“I’m bullish on English football and Chelsea is already an iconic club with a high integrity and remarkable president,” Ohanian told FOS via email, referring to Aki Mandhar, who was appointed in September.

“It was a very compelling opportunity and I’m excited to help them build their fan base here in the U.S. and beyond,” he said. “This team is special, these ladies have the MASSIVE trophy case to prove it!”

Ohanian has a point. Last weekend, Chelsea won a record-breaking sixth straight Women’s Super League title, and this upcoming weekend will compete for the FA Cup in a game against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium. This year, the team featured U.S. women’s national team defender Naomi Girma. Chelsea reportedly agreed to pay a record $1.1 million transfer fee to snag Girma.

Last spring, the Chelsea Women’s team was “repositioned” so that it “sits alongside, rather than beneath,” the men’s team, according to a statement. The idea was to give the women’s team “dedicated resources, management and commercial leadership” and attract new investment. The men’s Chelsea team plays in the Premier League. The women’s team is in a new independent entity that was created last year to run the Women’s Super League.

Ohanian was attracted to invest. The deal adds to an already significant portfolio of sports investments for him. He was previously the founding control owner of Angel City FC, which last summer was purchased by Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, in a record $250 million deal. Ohanian clarified Wednesday that he did not sell Angel City, but instead agreed to have his shares diluted through the deal with Iger and Bay. He still maintains a stake in Angel City, although the exact size was not clear.

Ohanian’s sports portfolio also includes Los Angeles Golf Club, a team in TGL, the indoor golf league cofounded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, as well as all-women track and field meet series Athlos. His firm recently submitted a bid to get involved in the NFL’s planned flag football venture, a league spokesman confirmed to FOS last month.

The Women’s Super League did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 6, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Son Heung-min poses during an LAFC introductory press conference at BMO Stadium

Son Heung-Min Effect Will Hit Big for MLS and L.A.

With a record signing, the South Korean supernova has landed at LAFC.
Dallas Wings

WNBA Teams Desperate to Expand Rosters Amid ‘Extreme Hardship’ 

The Wings are scrambling to field eight players Friday night.
Candace Parker

Candace Parker Not a WNBA Owner Yet, but Her Business Is Booming

Her WNBA peers say she made the blueprint for earning off the court.
Breanna Stewart

Breanna Stewart’s Injury Meant Rare Presence at WNBA CBA Talks

Stewart “makes the league sit up straight,” the union director told FOS.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Puma headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany

Puma Up for Grabs As Largest Shareholder Considers Exit

Reports say the company could be up for sale. Experts aren’t surprised.
Donald Trump Jr
August 26, 2025

Kalshi Advisor Donald Trump Jr. Joins Rival Polymarket Board

Polymarket appears to be on the verge of returning to the U.S.
Mark Cuban
August 27, 2025

Mark Cuban Wishes He Had Put Mavs on Open Market

Cuban also thinks private equity has shifted the NBA’s priorities. 
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
Veronica Burton
August 26, 2025

Dildo Markets, Diaper Bidens: Polymarket, Kalshi Push Limits of Hawking Prediction Markets

The companies don’t face the same regulatory risk as traditional sportsbooks.
Mo Vaughn
August 22, 2025

How Michael Bloomberg Jump-Started Mo Vaughn’s Business Career

The Red Sox legend had a sprawling housing empire before starting a podcast.
Apr 13, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Rickard Rakell (67) and center Sidney Crosby (87) and center Evgeni Malkin (71) talk before a face-off against the Boston Bruins during the third period at PPG Paints Arena.
August 19, 2025

Fenway Sports Weighs Penguins Options Amid ‘Serious’ Suitor

FSG previously said it was exploring the sale of a minority stake.
Dundon
August 13, 2025

Hurricanes Owner Tom Dundon Has Deal to Buy Trail Blazers

The team was put up for sale in May.