Angel City FC Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian Invests in Chelsea FC Women.

Roger Hampel

Photo Credit: Chelsea FC Women

Chelsea FC Women has announced that Alexis Ohanian, tech entrepreneur and founder of venture firm Seven Seven Six, has joined the club as a minority investor, marking a significant endorsement of the club’s position within the rapidly expanding landscape of women’s football.

The move comes as Chelsea Women celebrate a dominant domestic campaign, securing their sixth consecutive Women’s Super League title. It also reflects broader trends in the sport — notably, the increased participation of high-profile investors in the business of professional women’s football.

A Strategic Addition to Chelsea Women’s Ownership Structure

Ohanian’s stake comes after Chelsea Women restructured its internal position within the club in 2023, allowing for capital investment directly into the women’s team. While the club’s primary ownership group remains the controlling shareholder, the inclusion of a known investor in women’s sports like Ohanian aligns with Chelsea’s ambition to further develop infrastructure, commercial reach, and global visibility for its women’s division.

His investment is expected to support initiatives such as facility upgrades, enhanced commercial resourcing, and audience development, including reaching new demographics through digital engagement and culturally relevant partnerships.

Global Validation from a Key Women’s Sports Investor

Ohanian brings experience from his role as founding controlling owner of Angel City FC, one of the most commercially successful clubs in the NWSL. His involvement with Chelsea Women is being viewed by the football industry as both a validation of the club’s strategy and a sign of growing investor confidence in the commercial viability of women’s football.

In a statement, he noted his belief in the global brand potential of Chelsea Women and expressed intent to help the club “grow its footprint and impact.” His firm, Seven Seven Six, has previously invested across sport, media, and technology — sectors that continue to converge in the women’s game.

Commercial Momentum and Market Trends Chelsea FC Women Alexis Ohanian

The announcement follows Chelsea Women’s recent increase in commercial revenue, growth in matchday experiences, and development of dedicated partnership strategies aimed at brands interested specifically in women’s football. The club’s commercial success has mirrored its on-pitch dominance, positioning it as one of the leading forces in European women’s sport.

This investment will further enable the club to focus on:

• Enhancing elite performance environments

• Scaling its global commercial strategy

• Strengthening its pipeline via youth development and international talent

• Driving deeper engagement with a diverse, global fan base

  
  

A Measured Shift in Football Ownership Dynamics

Ohanian joins a growing group of tech-savvy investors entering European football, particularly within the women’s game, where clubs are more open to minority investment structures. For Chelsea Women, his involvement also brings additional visibility within the U.S. market, a key territory for women’s football development and media rights growth.

While the financial details of the deal were not disclosed, the move reflects a calculated bet on long-term returns in an undercapitalized but rapidly growing segment of the global sports economy.