Reddit Founder Alexis Ohanian Buys A Stake in Chelsea Women’s Team.

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has acquired an 8–10% stake in Women’s Super League champions Chelsea Women, marking a bold new chapter in the club’s boardroom and business strategy. The investment, estimated at around £20 million, earns Ohanian a seat on the board and values the women’s side at approximately £200 million.

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Announcing the move on X (formerly Twitter), Ohanian stated:

“I’ve bet big on women’s sports before, and I’m doing it again.
I’m proud to announce that I’m joining Chelsea as an investor and board member. I’m honored for the chance to help this iconic club become every American's favorite WSL team and much, much more.”

He also shared photos of Chelsea kits personalized with the names of his daughters, Olympia and Adira, signaling a family connection to the project.

Ohanian, 42, is no stranger to women’s sports investment. He was previously the largest shareholder of Angel City FC in the United States, which sold in 2024 for £192.3 million—a record sum for a women’s sports team at the time. His portfolio also includes a stake in the TGL Golf League. With an estimated net worth of $150 million, Ohanian is positioning himself as a major player in global sports business.

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The £20 million deal coincides with a restructuring move by Chelsea FC Holdings, which recently transferred the women’s team to a sister company to meet profit and sustainability regulations. Ohanian’s buy-in follows other internal changes at the club, including the appointment of Aki Mandhar as the first CEO solely dedicated to the women’s team.

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Chelsea Women have just wrapped up an extraordinary domestic season, clinching their sixth consecutive WSL title. They became the first team to go unbeaten in a 22-game campaign and set a record 60-point haul. The team also lifted the Women’s League Cup in March and is eyeing a domestic treble, facing Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley this Sunday—a match Ohanian and his wife, tennis legend Serena Williams, are expected to attend.

On the European stage, Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League but were eliminated by reigning champions Barcelona with an 8–2 aggregate loss.

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Ohanian’s investment is undeniably a positive step for visibility and funding in women’s football, and his proven commitment to the women's sports ecosystem could bring long-term benefits. However, it’s difficult to ignore the broader instability surrounding Chelsea as a whole.

Between boardroom reshuffles, regulatory maneuvering, and off-field distractions, the club often feels more like a business experiment than a unified football institution. While the women’s team continues to deliver silverware on the pitch, I can’t say I’m a fan of how Chelsea is being run behind the scenes—it feels chaotic, fragmented, and lacking a clear long-term identity.

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Adam Arnold
Last Updated 19th June 2025

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