Alexis Ohanian’s Game-Changing Investments in Women’s Sports: Inspired by Serena Williams’ Legacy

Oct 28, 2022; Washington, D.C., USA; Lead founding investor in Angel City FC Alexis Ohanian points to the team crest on his jacket as he participates in a panel discussion at the NWSL Score More for Title IX event at International Spy Museum. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

Serena Williams, the titan of women’s sports, has undeniably impacted the world of tennis. However, her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is now channeling his energies to secure her legacy beyond the tennis arena. The Reddit co-founder has been using his influence and resources to champion women’s sports across various disciplines, from football to track and field.

Recently, Ohanian was a keynote speaker at the Web Summit Qatar, where he unveiled his latest endeavor, a clear departure from his usual charming persona. The session was aptly titled “Why the creator of Reddit’s next big bet is women’s sports.” Since leaving Reddit in 2020, Ohanian has been tenaciously investing in and advocating for women’s sports, making a notable impact.

The 41-year-old tech magnate has been showcasing a different facet of his personality, a departure from his usual ‘girl dad’ image. He seemed to acknowledge this transformation by sharing a snapshot of his serious demeanor on Instagram with a fitting caption, “My serious face.”

Ohanian grabbed the global headlines in 2020 when he announced his resignation from Reddit, the platform he co-founded in 2005. But far from resting on his laurels, he turned his focus to an area he believed was being overlooked: women’s sports.

His first significant move after leaving Reddit was to invest in the Angel City Football Club (ACFC), a team based in Los Angeles and part of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). He collaborated with Hollywood A-listers Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman, and Julie Uhrman to bring the team into existence, aiming to elevate women’s soccer in the United States. Though he later sold his shares to Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife, Willow Bay, his commitment to uplift women’s sports remained unwavering.

Ohanian furthered his commitment by launching Athlos, an exclusive track and field event for women athletes. The inaugural Athlos NYC meet occurred on September 26, 2024, at Icahn Stadium in New York, offering an impressive $500,000 prize pool. The event was graced by world-class athletes like Olympic champion Gabby Thomas and world record holder Faith Kipyegon, drawing an audience of three million viewers across diverse platforms like ESPN, DAZN, YouTube, and X.

Ohanian has always openly credited his wife, Serena Williams, as the inspiration behind his passion for women’s sports. His life and perspective underwent a significant transformation after meeting her. Reflecting on this change during an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box in July 2024, Ohanian said, “The core phenomenon here probably came from a certain someone I’m married to, right? Serena Williams is the prototype for how you can show women’s sports is and can be and should be on the same level as men’s.”

A pivotal moment occurred in 2019 when Ohanian and Williams were watching the Women’s World Cup final. Seeing their daughter, Olympia, running around in an Alex Morgan jersey, Ohanian casually remarked, “Wouldn’t it be great if she played on a national team one day?” Serena’s response was a game-changer. She said, “Not until they pay her what she’s worth.” Taking this as a challenge, Ohanian was spurred to buy a sports team and contribute actively to this change.

Since then, Ohanian has been on a relentless mission to demonstrate the value of women’s sports, which he believes rivals, if not surpasses, their male counterparts. His strategic investments and new ventures are reshaping the future of sports and could potentially be the game-changer that women’s sports need. Will Alexis Ohanian’s efforts be the catalyst for a dramatic shift in women’s sports? Only time will tell.