The investment in Chelsea Women by Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, will be a “game changer”, according to coach Sonia Bompastor.
The American businessman acquired a 10% stake in the women’s team, valued at approximately £20 million (US$26.52 million), in line with the club’s valuation of £200 million.
Ohanian, who previously invested in women’s soccer by becoming the largest shareholder of Angel City FC of the NWSL in 2024.
I think it’s a very exciting moment for the club, for the women’s team and for women’s English football. Having this opportunity for Alexis to invest in the women’s team is great. I am very happy with this news and very excited
Sonia Bompastor
Bompastor expressed his enthusiasm at a press conference on Thursday, ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup final at Wembley against Manchester United.
When asked why she thinks Ohanian chose Chelsea, Bompastor replied:
We are the best! Simple!
Sonia Bompastor
The coach highlighted that the club’s results and values are key factors. The London team finished an undefeated season in the Women’s Super League (WSL), achieving their sixth consecutive title.
Bompastor emphasized the importance of investment for women’s football and for England, showing that the club is in a good moment and aspiring to be one of the best in the world, both in results and as a model off the field.
The coach hopes that this investment will propel the team to be leaders and to show other teams how they should act and invest in women’s soccer.
Bompastor hopes this investment will help win the first Champions League title. Chelsea fell to Barcelona in the semi-finals, their third consecutive elimination at this stage.
During the January transfer market, Chelsea invested over £1.5 million, signing Naomi Girma and Keira Walsh. Furthermore, in January 2024, they broke the world record by signing Colombian forward Mayra Ramírez.
Competition in the WSL will increase next season with the entry of the London City Lionesses, owned by Michele Kang.
I hope that [Ohanian’s investment] attracts other people to invest in women’s teams in this league. I think that’s the example we have to give and show other teams what they should do. It’s really good for us to be in that position, I want us to stay in that position for a long time
Sonia Bompastor
The coach believes that the increase in investment is “very positive” for the game and shows that English football is in a “very good place”.
Bompastor, 44, looks forward to meeting Ohanian and Williams in Sunday’s cup final, after a “very positive result”.
The coach assures that the team is focused on the FA Cup final and that this news is an additional motivation to show their best version.
