A Passionate Investment in Women’s Sport
Alexis Ohanian Sr., co-founder of venture capital firm 776, has become a driving force in women’s sports, blending his business acumen with a personal passion for gender equality in athletics. While his contributions have made headlines, Ohanian is quick to point out that his role is a small one, consistently highlighting the influence of his wife, tennis icon Serena Williams, and other trailblazing women who paved the way for the current wave of progress in women’s sports.
A casual tweet from Ohanian about the immense potential value in women’s sports led to an invitation from soccer star Alex Morgan, urging him to “put his money where his heart was.” This resulted in Ohanian becoming the lead investor in Angel City FC, a Los Angeles-based soccer team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). His investment, however, was more than a financial decision — it was a tribute to Serena and her impact on the sports world.
Serena’s Influence and Ohanian’s Humility
Ohanian has often spoken about how Serena’s journey, which began on the tennis courts of Compton, inspired his commitment to women’s sports. In a recent interview, he acknowledged Serena’s role in shaping his vision, stating, “Obviously, with Serena’s roots in Compton, it was a sort of obvious one.” He also reflected on how Serena, along with her sister Venus, has consistently fought for pay equity and greater visibility for women in sports. Their dedication laid the foundation for much of the progress seen today.
Humbly, Ohanian emphasizes that his efforts are only a small part of a larger movement. “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,” he shared. Despite this modest outlook, Ohanian has played a significant role in amplifying the visibility and financial success of women’s sports. As Angel City FC funnels 10% of every sponsorship dollar back into the community, Ohanian has set a new standard for the business of sports.
Building a Legacy Together
Beyond his investment in Angel City, Ohanian and Serena have also become co-owners of LAGC, the Los Angeles franchise of Tiger Woods’ and Rory McIlroy’s TGL golf league, set to launch in 2025. Serena, ever focused on giving back to her community, expressed her excitement for this new venture, stating, “An important part of the spirit and purpose of LA Golf Club is making golf our own, for everybody.”
Serena’s roots in Compton are central to their shared mission. Together, the Williams sisters have created the Yetunde Price Resource Center in honor of their late sister and have worked with Nike to refurbish tennis courts in the area. Ohanian’s admiration for Serena’s contributions to both sports and the community is evident. He has repeatedly acknowledged that his involvement in women’s sports is deeply tied to Serena’s legacy, describing her as a source of continuous inspiration.
Though Ohanian is leading the charge in business, he always turns the spotlight back to Serena and the other pioneers of women’s sports. “It’s thanks to my wife (obviously), Billie Jean King, Alex Morgan, and others who have been shining a light on women in sports for decades that we’ve come so far and been able to accomplish so much,” he said in a recent social media post.
Now a staple of Los Angeles’ sports scene, Ohanian also draws on his personal connection to the city, where he often visited his grandfather in Palos Verdes Estates. He describes his current role in L.A. sports as “pretty damn iconic,” but his humility persists, crediting those who came before him and, most importantly, his wife, Serena.
Together, Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian represent a new era of sports power couples. Their collective impact goes beyond their personal accomplishments — they are reshaping the landscape for future generations of women athletes. Ohanian’s heartfelt acknowledgment of Serena underscores how pivotal she has been not just in his life but in the broader fight for equality in sports.
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