New Chelsea Women minority investor Alexis Ohanian was in attendance at Wembley on Sunday and he spoke about how we are a ‘special club’ and why the Blues are set for even greater things in the future.
Ohanian is a tech entrepreneur and founder of Seven Seven Six, whose investment was confirmed on Thursday. Three days later he was in the stands at Wembley accompanied by his wife, Serena Williams, and their daughter Olympia. They watched on as Sonia Bompastor’s side secured the domestic treble with a commanding 3-0 victory over Manchester United.
Ohanian spoke to the BBC at half-time and explained how it felt to be investing in Chelsea Women, why he had decided to do so, and the levels he believes the club can reach.
‘I’m certainly grateful,’ said Ohanian.
‘It’s testament to what my team at Seven Seven Six has done - building Angel City, LA Golf Club, Athlos - a lot of emerging sports properties. Chelsea are very unique. Chelsea are the queens of global soccer and we have the trophy case to prove it. This is a very, very special club.
‘It’s been an amazing year - congrats to Sonia [Bompastor], Paul Green and all the amazing women at this club. The sky is the limit! You heard our [Chelsea Women's] CEO, Aki [Mandhar], say we are ‘unapologetically ambitious’ and I want to get that tattooed on me!
‘That is what we’re trying to build here with Chelsea Women - not just to be the best team, but truly the best team in all of women’s sports. This will be a billion dollar franchise one day and beyond, and I hope my dollars - or should I say my pounds! - can go towards that in a big way. This is going to be America’s team.’
Ohanian is excited for his two daughters to grow up supporting Chelsea, although he and his wife, tennis superstar Williams, are relaxed about whether they pursue football or the sport their mother excelled in.
‘Like every loving parent we just want them to do whatever they are most excited about. Little Adira is not old enough to be in the Royal Box, so she’s back at the hotel.
‘Both those girls are active. Olympia’s definitely been playing a lot of tennis and she plays golf too. I’ve definitely been trying to get her into soccer, but whatever she wants she’ll be great. She’s very excited to be a Blues fan. Thank you so much and up the Chels!’