Could Alexis Ohanian become the Dana White of track and field? There was a time when MMA barely registered on the sports map, and the UFC was on the verge of being sold off, yet Dana White’s relentless drive turned it into a global powerhouse. Now, Ohanian might be charting a similar path for athletics. His brainchild, Athlos, made waves last year by drawing a massive crowd of around 5,000 fans to the iconic Ichan Stadium. And here’s the kicker: while Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track and even the prestigious Diamond League struggled to fill seats, Ohanian did it twice.

Times Square was buzzing as fans flocked to witness Athlos NYC, and Tara Davis-Woodhall quickly stole the spotlight. Her gravity-defying jump in the heart of the square became an iconic moment, shared widely by Athlos’ official social media. Alexis Ohanian, who personally invited Davis-Woodhall to join the Athlos team, took to X and penned, “I think we have to call it Field & Track now. Thank you, fans, for packing Times Square!!”, and that was just the beginning.

On October 11, Athlos shared a video on their X handle showing Ichan Stadium packed to the brim. With a seating capacity of 5,000, the event was rightfully hailed as a “sold-out crowd.” Truth to be told, this was a game-changer for the Reddit co-founder. Athlos not only elevated competition but also rewrote the rules of athlete treatment. Brittany Brown stole the spotlight with a stunning sprint double, while Keely Hodgkinson dominated the 800m, and Tara Davis-Woodhall equaled the world lead in the long jump.

Serena Williams added glamour to the event, crowning winners with Tiffany & Co. pieces. Beyond medals and crowns, Athlos delivered an unforgettable experience. Last year, hip-hop legend DJ D-Nice set the vibe throughout the six events with his eclectic mix, while Megan Thee Stallion wowed the packed audience with a 30-minute performance. This year, the excitement continued as popular singer Ciara took the stage for her final dance before the curtains closed.

With back-to-back events and strategic planning, Alexis Ohanian has proven why he’s a visionary and why people can trust him when he launches something new.

Alexis Ohanian gives his honest opinion on women’s sports at Athlos

With a massive $663,000 prize pool and instant payouts, Athlos kicked off at Icahn Stadium, celebrations lighting up the night with fireworks, elite athleticism, and star-studded performances. Alexis Ohanian sat down with renowned broadcaster Cari Champion, who asked the question on everyone’s mind: Why such a focus on women in sports? To this, Ohanian responded that while many might assume it’s because he has two daughters, the truth runs much deeper.

“But I don’t ever want anyone to get twisted. Nothing about this is charity. The reason why this means so much to me is I want to celebrate excellence,” he explained. Pointing to his wife, Serena Williams, and her sister Venus Williams, as shining examples, the Reddit co-founder expressed that women athletes should be celebrated for their contribution to the world of sports.” And what that took was pay equity, thanks to Billie Jean King, and generational excellence in the Williams sisters. And to this day, women’s tennis is even more popular in America than men’s,” said Ohanian.

Lastly, Ohanian emphasized how the Williams sisters made tennis famous through their dedication—and noted that track and field athletes could do the same, provided they have the right platform. “This for me is an opportunity that in 10 years, folks are gonna look at me like, ‘This was the most obvious thing you ever could have built.’ And my answer to them is, ‘Why not faster? Why not sooner?” quipped Ohanian as he ended his answer.