Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams are legends in their own right, a power couple who embody what it means to support each other in business and beyond. Ohanian’s journey as an investor in women’s sports began around 2019, inspired by Serena’s legacy and advocacy for pay equity. He saw the untapped potential and seized it, saying, “The tidal wave, or the tsunami, was there already, in women’s sports, and I think I happened to grab a board on the right wave at the right time.” This vision led him to Angel City FC and the 776 Invitational. However, turns out that Serena wasn’t fully convinced of the move.
As the co-founder of Reddit, Ohanian is a pioneering entrepreneur. He sold Reddit to Condé Nast in 2006 and went on to co-found Initialized Capital in 2010, investing in startups like Instacart and Coinbase. In 2020, he launched Seven Seven Six, focusing on early-stage investments. His transition from tech to sports was influenced by his wife, but he emphasizes that personal connections aren’t his sole motivation. In a conversation with Forbes, he revealed, “I never lead with those things as to why I’m investing as much as I am in women’s sports.” He added, “Incidentally, Serena did try to talk me out of it at first,” but he chose not to elaborate further. “The reasons why are pretty telling, but I don’t want it to get twisted.”
Meanwhile, Serena has her own ventures, including WYN and Serena Ventures. The latter focuses on empowering diverse founders across consumer products, tech, and healthcare. On the other hand, Ohanian’s approach to women’s sports differs from many well-intentioned investors who view it as charity. “I think a lot of well-intentioned people were investing in things like women’s sports as a charity because they have daughters, because they had granddaughters, and as soon as you compartmentalize anything that way, you’re setting a bar on the success and you’re setting a restriction for yourself.” His vision is about recognizing the economic potential of women’s sports.
“Investing in women’s sports five years ago was unthinkable… [Many people] told me I was going to lose all my money and it would never work. I’m very happy to prove them wrong.”
Seven Seven Six Founder @alexisohanian spoke about championing change at the #Forbes3050 Summit. pic.twitter.com/arwdC3ZLyK
— Forbes (@Forbes) March 6, 2025
But it wasn’t just Serena who had tried to stop him as he noted, “Investing in women’s sports five years ago was unthinkable. I had random people people on the internet to other investors, who I respected. They all told me I was going to lose all my money and it would never work.” However, his experience with Angel City FC has proven them wrong. Initially valued at $1 million, the team is now worth nearly $300 million, making it the most valuable women’s sports team globally.
But let’s not forget that Serena has supported her husband in his journey regardless and he couldn’t be more grateful!
Alexis opens up about Serena’s impact on his life
Back in January, Alexis Ohanian shared his inspiring journey on the ‘Thanalysis Show’ podcast. He spoke about evolving from a “random kid” to a tech mogul, highlighting the significant role his wife, Serena Williams, has played in his career. Ohanian noted, “Obviously at some point, I start talking to my wife. Then obviously we get engaged, we get married. And then, more and more people are like, ‘Oh hey, like, say ‘hi’ to Serena for me.’ One conversation I’ve never had to have in this relationship has been defending or justifying why I need to do something for my career.” This mutual understanding has been a cornerstone of their relationship, allowing them to support each other’s ambitions without hesitation.
Their partnership is built on a foundation of mutual respect and drive. As Ohanian once said, “Merging with a partner that is just as successful and just as motivated and everything, it’s awesome and it’s amazing. It’s been really, really fun.” This synergy is evident in how they balance their personal and professional lives. In an essay published on Valentine’s Day in 2019, he emphasized, “It helps that my wife and I both know what it takes to be successful and bring that mutual understanding, drive and relentless to the table.”
This shared vision has made them one of the most inspiring power couples, with both Serena and Alexis pushing boundaries in their respective fields. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post ‘GOAT’ Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian Reveals How Wife Once Stopped Him From Investing in ‘Billions of Dollars’ Worth Women Sports appeared first on EssentiallySports.
