Tennis legend Serena Williams has joined blockchain-based fantasy soccer game Sorare, as a board advisor. Not only is her venture capital firm Serena Ventures involved, reports are that she has also made a personal investment in the company.

The Paris-based soccer fantasy company hauled in $680 million in cash at a $4.3 billion valuation. This is the fifth-largest ever funding round in the crypto industry.

READ MORE: How Serena Williams Met Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian Before Their Marriage

CEO Nicolas Julia talked to Forbes about his excitement to work with the tennis star. He said, “When you have the ambition to build the biggest entertainment group in the world of sports, and you have the opportunity to partner with one of the greatest athletes in history, you want that perspective.” 

As of now, Sorare has IP license deals with over 200 men’s soccer clubs and leagues- LaLiga, Bundesliga, J League, MLS, and Juventus, to name a few.

Serena Williams says her husband introduced her to the company

Serena mentioned it was actually her husband, the founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian, that introduced her to the company. In February 2021, her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures, invested in Sorare in its $50 million series A round. 

The 23-time grand slam champion said that she found Sorare to be different. “Sorare does more than just collectibles. They deliver meaningful interactions between users and their favorite teams or players, which I thought was different.” 

“When we think of web3 and we think of crypto: that’s going to be the biggest space for the next several years in terms of growth,” she added.

Serena Ventures was a secret for a long time

Serena Williams founded her venture capital firm Serena Ventures back in 2014. However, she publicly announced it five years later through an Instagram post.

Top Stories

“Hard Being a Black Woman”: Coco Gauff on Donald Trump’s Administration

WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz Lashes Out at His Coach and Brother in Tense Win at the Australian Open

25YO WTA Pro Calls Out for Aryna Sabalenka’s Disqualification and Ban From Tennis at the Australian Open

Naomi Osaka and Antonia Ruzic Refuse to Continue Australian Open Match- Here’s What Happened

Elina Svitolina Gets Candid Discussing Gael Monfils’ Farewell at the Australian Open

Over the years, the company has only grown. Currently, it has a $33 billion portfolio market cap and its latest investment was just one of many. What do you make of this news?

WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams and daughter Olympia have a Star Wars-inspired battle