Reddit-founder husband of tennis legend Serena Williams buys stake in Chelsea Women

His £20 million ($26.5m) investment places the club’s valuation at over £200m ($265m) — a new benchmark for the English side. Ohanian, 42, will also be joining the club’s board as part of the agreement, further deepening his commitment to the sport, as revealed by The Times.

The power couple and their family are expected to be in attendance at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, as Chelsea prepare to take on Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final. The London side will be aiming to complete a domestic Double, having already asserted their dominance in the league.

Ohanian said: "I've bet big on women’s sports before, and I’m doing it again...I'm honoured for the chance to help this iconic club become every American's favourite WSL team and much, much more."

Roughly a year ago, Chelsea made a strategic move to formally separate their women’s team from the men’s structure. Merchant banking firm BDT & MSD Partners was appointed to oversee and guide this transformation, with several bids put forward during the process.

After evaluating proposals, Chelsea’s ownership group opted for Ohanian’s venture firm, Seven Seven Six Capital. His prior experience in women’s sports — most notably as a majority stakeholder in Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) — played a significant role in winning Chelsea’s trust. That American club was sold last year for an eye-watering $250 million (£190 million), then a record sum for a women’s sports franchise.

Ohanian’s foray into English women’s football is viewed as more than just a financial transaction. It is also a strategic belief in the future of the sport across Europe. Inspired by the rapid commercial rise of women’s football in North America, he believes the European market is poised for similar, if not greater, expansion. He sees Chelsea and Barcelona as the flag-bearers for the women’s game on the continent — clubs with the infrastructure, brand power, and support to dominate the next era.

For Chelsea, the move validates their decision to split operational control between the men’s and women’s teams. The appointment of Aki Mandhar as the first dedicated CEO of Chelsea Women has allowed for tailored leadership and strategic planning — an approach now bolstered by fresh capital and boardroom expertise from one of Silicon Valley’s most respected figures.