Greek-Nigerian NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has officially joined the ownership group of Chelsea Women, teaming up with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in the latest high-profile U.S. investment in English football.
The move places Antetokounmpo among a growing list of American athletes backing European clubs, including LeBron James at Liverpool, Kevin Durant at Paris Saint-Germain, and NFL legend Tom Brady, who acquired a stake in Birmingham City in 2023. Ohanian himself purchased a 10% share in Chelsea Women last year.
Announcing the news on social media, Antetokounmpo wrote:
“I’m proud and honored to partner with my friend @alexisohanian, joining the ownership group of Chelsea Women, 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 welcomed the NBA star, posting a nostalgic image of Antetokounmpo visiting Stamford Bridge in past years:
“Welcome home, my friend!”
Chelsea Women Facing a Challenging Domestic Campaign
Chelsea Women have dominated the Women’s Super League (WSL) in recent years, winning six consecutive league titles. However, the current season has proven more difficult. Sitting third in the table, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, Chelsea have endured back-to-back league defeats, including a heavy 5–1 loss to City and a 2–0 defeat to Arsenal, marking the club’s first consecutive WSL losses in a decade.
Sonia Bompastor Signs Contract Extension Until 2030
Amid the team’s transitional period, head coach Sonia Bompastor has signed a new contract extension through 2030, reflecting the club’s long-term faith in her leadership.
The 45-year-old French coach, who succeeded Emma Hayes in May 2024, guided Chelsea to an invincible domestic treble in her debut season, including six straight league titles and the highest points tally in WSL history.
Bompastor expressed her gratitude after signing:
“I want to thank the club for their unwavering support and the trust they have shown in me. We have so much left to fight for; we are competing on four fronts, and we will give everything, every single day, to make our supporters proud.”
Chelsea sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley praised her impact:
“Since the day Sonia joined Chelsea, she has delivered a level of excellence that has elevated our women’s team on and off the pitch. Renewing her contract reflects our belief in her leadership, her vision, and the stability she brings to the club.”
A Growing Trend of American Investment in Women’s Football
Giannis’s entry into the Chelsea Women ownership group underscores the increasing global profile of women’s football and the strategic interest from U.S. athletes and entrepreneurs. With the club navigating a tougher league campaign, the combination of Bompastor’s proven leadership and Antetokounmpo’s high-profile backing signals Chelsea’s commitment to maintaining their status at the pinnacle of the WSL and beyond.
As Chelsea Women strive to reclaim the league crown, fans can now expect a blend of on-field ambition and off-field star power, with Giannis Antetokounmpo joining the effort to push the club and women’s football into a new era.
