Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Chelsea Women ownership group

NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo has joined the ownership group of Chelsea Women, linking up with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian as the Women’s Super League club continues to build its investor base and global profile.Antetokounmpo announced the move in a social media post, describing Chelsea as “a historic club built on passion, excellence, and a winning culture.”Antetokounmpo said: “I’m proud and honoured to partner with my friend @alexisohanian, joining the ownership group of @chelseafcw, a historic club built on passion, excellence, and a winning culture.” “Chelsea’s history speaks for itself, and I’m excited to contribute to the future by supporting continued growth and impact in women’s sport. This is about ambition, legacy, and pushing the game to new heights. Up the Chels!”Ohanian, who bought a 10 per cent stake in Chelsea Women last year, responded to Antetokounmpo’s post with a message welcoming him into the group. “Welcome home my friend!” Ohanian wrote, posting a photo of Antetokounmpo visiting Stamford Bridge’s home dressing room several years ago.Neither Chelsea Women nor Antetokounmpo disclosed the size of the stake or the value of the investment.The move adds another high-profile US-based sports name to the growing list of celebrity and athlete investors in British football, and reflects the wider momentum around women’s sport as a commercial property. Ohanian, who is married to former tennis player Serena Williams, has framed his Chelsea Women investment as a long-term play on women’s football audiences and brand-building.For Chelsea Women, the investment arrives during a season in which their domestic dominance is under pressure.Chelsea have won six WSL titles in a row but are facing a tougher run-in this campaign and are expected to relinquish the title, with ESPN reporting they are 12 points off the leaders with eight matches remaining.The club has moved to reinforce stability off the pitch, announcing last week that head coach Sonia Bompastor has extended her contract until 2030.Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA MVP and 2021 NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks, has also been expanding his profile beyond basketball through business interests, and his Chelsea Women stake positions him inside one of the most visible clubs in the women’s game.