Giannis Antetokounmpo Invests in Chelsea Women as NBA Superstar Backs WSL Champions’ Global Vision
Giannis Antetokounmpo has never been a figure content with staying in one lane. On the court, he is a two-time NBA MVP and the face of the Milwaukee Bucks. Off it, he has steadily built a reputation as a thoughtful, ambitious investor with a growing interest in football. That journey has now taken him to west London, where the Greek superstar has joined the ownership group of Chelsea Women, one of the most successful clubs in the history of the Women’s Super League (WSL).
The move sees Antetokounmpo align himself with a club synonymous with dominance, ambition and trophies, while underlining his commitment to pushing women’s sport to a broader, more global audience.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Joins Chelsea Women Ownership Group
The announcement was confirmed over the weekend, with Antetokounmpo revealing he had purchased a minority stake in Chelsea FC Women. The NBA icon joins a growing list of high-profile investors backing the Blues, including Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, a close personal friend of Giannis and one of the most vocal advocates for women’s sport in the United States.
“I’m proud and honored to partner with my friend @alexisohanian, joining the ownership group of @ChelseaFCW,” he wrote. “A historic club built on passion, excellence, and a winning culture. This is about ambition, legacy, and pushing the game to new heights.”
For Chelsea Women, the arrival of one of the most recognisable athletes on the planet is another statement of intent. For Antetokounmpo, it represents the latest step in a carefully curated investment portfolio that increasingly revolves around sport, culture and long-term growth.
Why Chelsea Women and the WSL Appeal to Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo’s interest in football is nothing new. Like many European players who have crossed the Atlantic to the NBA, the game was part of his upbringing. His father was a footballer, and Giannis has often spoken about growing up watching matches long before basketball became his primary focus.
In recent years, the rapid rise of the WSL has caught the attention of investors worldwide. Chelsea Women, in particular, have become a flagship brand within women’s football, combining sustained domestic success with growing international reach.
The Blues have won multiple league titles, dominated cup competitions, and consistently competed at the sharp end of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Their reputation for professionalism, elite standards and commercial growth made them an obvious choice for investors looking to align with a winning project.
Antetokounmpo’s decision also reflects a broader trend: elite athletes recognising the commercial and cultural potential of women’s sport at a moment when global interest is accelerating.
Alexis Ohanian’s Influence and Shared Vision
A key factor behind the deal is Antetokounmpo’s relationship with Alexis Ohanian, who purchased a 10 per cent stake in Chelsea Women in May 2025. Ohanian, the husband of tennis icon Serena Williams, has long positioned himself as a champion of women’s sport, having previously invested in the NWSL and other ventures.
When Ohanian joined Chelsea Women, he spoke openly about his belief in the club’s potential to transcend borders.
“I’ve bet big on women’s sports before – and I’m doing it again,” he said at the time. “Chelsea Women can become America’s favourite WSL team and much, much more.”
Antetokounmpo clearly shares that vision. Their partnership brings together two powerful personal brands with global reach, particularly in the United States, where the commercial growth of women’s football is accelerating at pace.
From Arsenal Fan to Chelsea Investor
One of the more amusing subplots to Antetokounmpo’s investment is his complicated history with English football allegiances. In the past, the Bucks star openly admitted to being an Arsenal supporter, inspired by Thierry Henry during his formative years.
“My favourite team used to be Arsenal and my favourite player used to be Thierry Henry,” he said back in 2020. “Deep down I am still an Arsenal fan.”
That loyalty, however, appears to have faded over time. In a social media exchange last year, Antetokounmpo revealed that his current football sympathies lay elsewhere, naming Real Madrid as the club he now follows most closely.
Whatever residual affection he may have for Arsenal, his financial commitment now firmly places him in Chelsea’s camp – at least when it comes to the women’s game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Growing Sports Investment Portfolio
Chelsea Women are not Antetokounmpo’s first foray into football ownership. In 2023, Giannis and his brothers – Alex, Kostas and Thanasis – became minority owners of Nashville SC in Major League Soccer. He also owns a stake in the Milwaukee Brewers in Major League Baseball, underlining his desire to diversify across major American sports.
What sets this Chelsea investment apart is its symbolism. Antetokounmpo is one of the most influential athletes of his generation, and his backing of women’s football sends a powerful message about where he believes the future of sport lies.
Chelsea Women on the Pitch: Transition and Uncertainty
The investment comes at an interesting moment for Chelsea Women on the field. After years of domestic dominance, the Blues are facing the real prospect of missing out on the WSL title for the first time since 2019. They currently trail Manchester City by 12 points, a gap that looks increasingly difficult to bridge.
Despite that, the club recently moved to secure stability by tying head coach Sonia Bompastor down to a new contract. Bompastor, who succeeded Emma Hayes following her departure to become head coach of the USWNT, remains a central figure in Chelsea’s long-term project.
There is also uncertainty around the playing squad, with reports suggesting USWNT star Catarina Macario could leave after rejecting a new contract offer. These challenges, however, are viewed internally as part of a natural cycle rather than a sign of decline.
What Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Involvement Means for Women’s Football
Beyond balance sheets and boardrooms, Antetokounmpo’s arrival carries genuine symbolic weight. His global profile brings fresh eyes to the WSL and reinforces the idea that women’s football is no longer a niche investment, but a mainstream opportunity with serious upside.
For Chelsea Women, it strengthens their position as a global brand. For the WSL, it adds another high-profile advocate at a time when the league is pushing to expand its international footprint.
And for Antetokounmpo himself, it fits neatly with a public image built around ambition, growth and using influence responsibly.
As he put it himself, this is about “pushing the game to new heights”. With figures like Giannis Antetokounmpo now firmly invested in the women’s game, it is increasingly hard to argue that those heights are anything but within reach.
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