History was written at Wembley last week as Chelsea’s women’s team completed their domestic treble. They registered a dominating 3-0 win over Manchester United. After Sandy Baltimore struck the first two blows, Catarina Macario ensured the victory with a third goal in the 84th minute. With that, the club captured the FA Cup after winning the League Cup in March, followed by the Women’s Super League title earlier this month. The celebration wasn’t just witnessed on the field but off it, too. Especially for a newly revealed, passionate investor in the blue team: Alexis Ohanian, proud husband of Serena Williams.

Ohanian recently made a million-dollar bet on Chelsea. Turns out it’s already paying off well with the team performing at the highest level. But guess what? There was a time when Ohanian was advised to not put his money in women’s soccer. And this idea was suggested by none other than the wifey. But why?

For the uninitiated, Ohanian is a minority investor in Chelsea FC Women. The news surfaced online earlier this month. He’s bought around ten percent stake in the club for $26 million. The timing of his involvement was perfect as the team was set to play the summit clash in the FA Cup against Man U on May 18. In a clip shared on his IG account, on May 16, Ohanian revealed his excitement, saying, “The club just became the most valuable women’s team in the world—and that doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you’ve got elite athletes, people willing to bet big on them, *and* bold leadership that is ready to build.”

In general, Ohanian’s been a huge advocate for promoting women’s sports. And Chelsea isn’t the first women’s soccer team he’s a part of. He’s also the owner of the Angel City FC in the NWSL, since 2022. But it seems his spouse, Williams, was against the idea of betting on women’s soccer clubs. “When I first told Serena I was gonna buy or start a women’s soccer team here in the States, she actually tried to talk me out of it,” he said in an interaction with CNN on May 22.

But what could have been the reason for a champion athlete like Serena in deterring him not to be a part of women’s sports? He explained, “I think she had been so exposed to the infrastructure around women’s sports” and “Because of her lived experience, she actually was trying to talk me out of it because she had to kick down a lot of doors.”

One key reason behind Williams’ reluctance for Ohanian’s interest in women’s sports is because she knows that despite great on-field laurels, many female athletes find it tough to gain strong financial backing. Last year, she touched upon this aspect while speaking at the New York Times’ DealBook summit. Serena Williams emphasized on her own struggles, which she has always been vocal about and on recognizing female players’ long-standing achievements. “I always say that women’s sports is not having a moment, — it’s always been there. Women athletes have always been around, we’ve always been amazing and we’ve always been great. You guys are just noticing.” reported Sports Business Journal in December 2024.

Just like her husband, who founded Athlos last year to promote female Track and Field stars, Williams has been a strong advocate, too, for women’s sports. In fact, she’s also recently become an investor, like Ohanian. Back in March, she made her debut in the $1.16 billion WNBA franchise.

Serena Williams is now a key investor of a new WNBA team

In case you missed keeping track, the WNBA will add two new clubs to its existing list of 12 teams. One team is the Golden State Warriors, making its debut this year. Then there’s a Canada-based team as well, named Toronto Tempo. It will arrive in the league next year. And guess what? Serena Williams happens to be one of its investors.

On March 3, it was announced that the former World No.1 has joined the WNBA as a part-owner of Toronto. In a post on her IG account, she shared a clip and wrote, “New court, new game. 🏀 I am incredibly excited to join the @torontotempo as the team’s newest owner.” Toronto will be the first team in the WNBA’s history to be based out of the US.

Williams added, “This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes — I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity. I am excited to partner with Larry (Tanenbaum) and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.”

Alongside Toronto, she also owns a stake in the Angel City FC soccer team, alongside husband Ohanian. The couple are also key investors in NFL’s Miami Dolphins and TGL’s Los Angeles Golf Club. What are your thoughts on them passionately promoting women’s sports? Let us know in the comments below.