2009 was a banner year for the Williams sisters. Serena finished the season as the world’s number one tennis player for the second time and shattered Justine Henin’s record for the most prize money earned by a female in a single year with a staggering $6.5 million. Meanwhile, Venus was also at the top of her game, securing four consecutive major doubles titles and achieving her highest ranking since 2003. The same year saw Serena and Venus become the first female African-Americans to acquire an ownership stake in an NFL team, the Miami Dolphins. Team owner Stephen Ross welcomed the “most admired athletes in the world” to his team as minority owners. Nearly sixteen years later, Serena’s passion for the Dolphins remains undiminished.
On March 31st, Serena Williams and her husband were spotted attending the NFL Annual Meeting in Florida’s Palm Beach. Over there, Williams was one of the panelists for a conversation on “THE CHANGING FACE OF SPORTS AND ITS IMPACT ON THE NFL”. And guess what?
Fun fact: The WNBA star, Caitlin Clark, was a co-panelist in the company of NFL icon Eli Manning, and Broncos co-owner Mellody Hobson. Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian later on even expressed his excitement at getting the chance to meet with “The one and only @CaitlinClark22 !!!”
Against the backdrop of a screen showcasing various football helmets behind the panel, Serena’s choice was clear: the Miami Dolphins. In her Instagram story, Williams was heard saying, “Alright guys! There’s only one helmet after my heart, and we all know it belongs to the Phins Up. Phins Up!” Now you may wonder, what’s the deeper connection between Serena Williams and the Miami Dolphins?
Fun fact: This Miami Dolphins Limited Edition Tribute Pocket Size Helmet boasts a white shell, a grey facemask, and prominently displays the classic throwback Dolphins logos along with a central stripe.
Serena Williams’ investment in the Miami Dolphins wasn’t purely a business decision. As she once explained, emotion played a significant role. While talking about her investment in the Miami Dolphins, she once said, “I am so excited to be part of such a renowned organization. Having spent so much of my childhood in the area, being involved with a staple of Miami culture is a huge honor. We look forward to many championships and much success together with the Miami Dolphins.”
Even Venus Williams admitted that she’s honored to be a partner of this iconic franchise, and she claimed that both of them have been to “a few games,“ and they follow their matches whenever they get time. As per the Williams sisters, there are more like “Go Fins!- type people.”
If we take a look at the legacy of this team, the Miami Dolphins are one of the oldest teams in Florida. However, they last appeared in a Super Bowl in 1985 (Super Bowl XX) and haven’t won a Super Bowl since 1974 (Super Bowl VIII). According to Forbes’ report from August 2024, their current team value is around $6.2 B, making them the 11th most lucrative NFL franchise.
But Serena’s investments aren’t just restricted to American football! She co-owns several other sports teams like Angel City F.C. (NWSL), Los Angeles Golf Club (TGL), and even Toronto Tempo (WNBA).
Recently, her beloved team Miami Dolphins, was seen honoring Roger Federer’s ex-coach, Paul Annacone. What was the celebration for, though?
Serena Williams-owned Dolphins celebrates f Roger Federer’s ex-coach’s Miami anniversary
Paul Annacone had the chance to work with some of the greats in the sport, and he has seen Serena Williams very closely. He has time and again spoken about how Williams “lifted the bar” to become a real “competitor” on the Tour. Annacone has a huge admiration for the American, and recently, he was spotted getting honored by Serena Williams’ Miami Dolphins.
Annacone won the doubles title at the inaugural edition of the Miami Open (1985) along with his partner Christo Van Rensburg. This year marked the 40th anniversary of that incredible milestone in his career, and the Miami Open organizers, led by James Blake, handed him jerseys from the Miami Dolphins to celebrate that occasion. While sharing his thoughts on this wonderful present, Annacone said,
“Is this a JB (James Blake) special? How about that…you guys are awesome…thank you, James Blake, this is great. James Blake, you still have to give me two shots a side, but…look at the jersey, they even spelled my name right! And they got my age on here too, that’s awesome! Very much appreciate.”
Well, not only Serena and Venus, even Alexis Ohanian is also a huge fan of the NFL. They’re often seen attending the matches during the season. But do you know who Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian’s favorite NFL player?
The post “There’s Only One”- Miami Dolphins Co-owner Serena Williams Makes Her Pick Amid NFL’s Flashy Spectacle appeared first on EssentiallySports.
