Serena Williams’ Husband, Alexis Ohanian, Explains Why He’s Not Investing in a WNBA Team Despite Serena’s Interest
Alexis Ohanian, the husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, recently opened up about his reasons for not investing in a WNBA team, despite his wife’s clear enthusiasm for the idea. While Williams has expressed a keen interest in owning a WNBA team, Ohanian explained that his current focus lies in supporting women’s basketball at a foundational level, which he believes is a more impactful and long-term approach to growing the sport. As a passionate advocate for women’s sports, Ohanian has taken a proactive role in fostering opportunities for female athletes, but his priorities diverge from his wife’s vision when it comes to team ownership.
Ohanian’s Focus on Building Foundations
Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and a prominent investor, has always been vocal about his commitment to elevating women’s sports. His approach, however, involves strengthening the roots of these sports rather than focusing on high-profile team investments. He co-owns Angel City FC, a team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), alongside Serena Williams and their daughters. The family’s involvement in Angel City FC represents their dedication to providing support and visibility to women’s sports on a broad scale.
In addition to Angel City FC, Ohanian has launched initiatives aimed at empowering female athletes. One notable project is Athlos, a female-only track and field event, which aligns with his mission to create more opportunities for women in sports. These ventures demonstrate Ohanian’s commitment to making a long-lasting impact on women’s sports culture and infrastructure, rather than focusing solely on high-profile investments in professional teams like the WNBA.
Despite Serena’s excitement about owning a WNBA team, Ohanian’s stance is clear: he wants to focus on building sustainable growth from the ground up, especially within college-level women’s basketball, which he sees as the future of the sport. “I’m more interested in figuring out how to make [women’s basketball] viable,” Ohanian said in a conversation with college basketball player Flau’jae Johnson. His ambition is to ensure that the sport thrives at all levels, rather than just adding another franchise to the existing structure of the WNBA.
Ohanian’s Ambitions for Women’s College Basketball
In the same conversation, Ohanian shared his broader vision for women’s basketball, specifically his goal of strengthening women’s college basketball. He recounted a time when he expressed public interest in buying the rights to women’s college basketball from the NCAA. Ohanian had been frustrated with the way the NCAA managed the women’s game and believed he could offer a better approach.
“I had a conversation with Adam Silver (NBA Commissioner) years ago. College basketball was clearly the battleground for women. I even tweeted, asking the NCAA to sell me the rights to women’s college basketball because I was more interested in figuring out how to make that viable,” Ohanian revealed. His remarks underscore his belief that college basketball offers a key avenue for cultivating female talent and bringing more attention to the women’s game, especially as it gains in popularity.
Ohanian also took the opportunity to address the persistent criticism that women’s sports lack marketability or fan interest. He pointed out that leagues like the WNBA and women’s college basketball are proving their worth, with increasing revenues and growing attention from fans and media alike. In his words, “In this country, capitalism trumps everything. All the people who said no one cared about women’s sports can’t make that argument anymore because the dollars don’t lie.”
This growing recognition of women’s sports as both commercially viable and culturally significant is a point Ohanian has stressed repeatedly. He has become a vocal advocate for the value of investing in women’s athletics, emphasizing that the increasing financial success of leagues like the WNBA and the popularity of athletes like Sabrina Ionescu and Caitlin Clark demonstrate the immense potential of the women’s sports market.
Ohanian’s Philanthropy and Investment in Women’s Basketball
Ohanian has also put his money where his mouth is when it comes to supporting women’s basketball. In 2023, he made a groundbreaking donation to the University of Virginia’s women’s basketball program, the largest gift ever given to the team. Ohanian pledged a multi-year commitment to support the program, further illustrating his dedication to the growth of women’s college basketball.
In a post on Instagram, he proudly shared his investment in the University of Virginia’s women’s team, saying, “Women’s college basketball is up next. My first big investment in this space is a multi-year commitment to @uvawomenshoops.” This move reflects Ohanian’s belief that college basketball is the key to the future of women’s sports, offering an important platform for players to develop and gain exposure.
By investing in a college basketball program rather than a professional team, Ohanian aims to support the grassroots level of the sport and provide opportunities for athletes who will go on to make an impact in the professional leagues. His focus is on ensuring that the next generation of women’s basketball players has the resources and platforms they need to succeed.
Serena’s Enthusiasm for WNBA Ownership
While Ohanian has focused his efforts on women’s college basketball, Serena Williams has expressed her enthusiasm for investing in the WNBA. In a 2024 interview with CNN, Williams confirmed that she would be “super interested” in owning a WNBA team, provided the right market presented itself. She shared that she sees the investment in women’s sports as a “low-risk opportunity,” given their growing popularity and the excitement that women’s basketball generates.
“Women’s sport is exciting and an overly safe bet when it comes to investing,” Serena stated. “More people are realizing how exciting women’s basketball is to watch.” Her comments reflect a belief that the women’s sports landscape is ripe for growth and that investing in teams like those in the WNBA could prove highly beneficial for those willing to take the leap.
Serena’s interest in team ownership comes as no surprise, given her history of advocacy for women’s sports. Beyond her success on the tennis court, she has long been an outspoken supporter of female athletes and has taken steps to promote equality in sports. In addition to her WNBA aspirations, she and Ohanian have also supported rising basketball stars like Caitlin Clark, offering advice and mentorship on how to navigate the challenges of public life and competition.
A Shared Commitment to Women’s Sports
Despite their differing approaches to investment, both Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian share a deep commitment to supporting the growth of women’s sports. While Serena’s focus may be on expanding the presence of women’s professional teams like the WNBA, Ohanian’s efforts are geared toward strengthening the foundational elements of women’s basketball, particularly at the college level. Together, they embody a multifaceted approach to empowering female athletes and ensuring that the future of women’s sports is both sustainable and successful.
As the couple continues to champion various initiatives in women’s athletics, their differing yet complementary visions highlight the diverse ways in which individuals can make a meaningful impact on the future of women’s sports. Whether through direct investment, mentorship, or philanthropy, Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian are both contributing to a growing movement that is changing the landscape of women’s sports for generations to come.
