Chelsea’s domestic dominance has reached a new level this season under head coach Sonia Bompastor, who took over from Emma Hayes last summer.
The FA Cup win over Manchester United at Wembley completed an unbeaten domestic season and a second treble in four years. They have won six Women’s Super League titles in a row.
Ohanian described Chelsea as the “queens of global soccer” who will become a “billion-dollar franchise” as he watched Sunday’s victory alongside wife Serena Williams.
Bompastor praised Ohanian’s investment, saying it was about “values” and showed “respect” for the women’s game and Chelsea’s achievements.
The 42-year-old has invested in women’s football previously, as the largest shareholder in American club side Angel City FC until it was sold in 2024 for £192.3m – the highest price for a women’s sports team before this deal.
Chelsea made it known publicly last summer they wanted to find a private investor for the women’s team and that they had big ambitions for the future.
They stayed true to their word – even if there are benefits for the men’s team – by breaking records in the women’s transfer market and recruiting one of Europe’s top coaches in Bompastor.
In January, USA defender Naomi Girma joined Chelsea in a world record transfer for a female footballer. The fee is believed to be in the region of £900,000 ($1.1m).
The investment is significant for women’s football in England and Europe. Selling minority stakes in a club has largely stemmed from the United States.
Natalie Portman, America Ferrera, Mia Hamm, Sophia Bush, Abby Wambach and Eva Longoria have all invested in American club Angel City recently.
There is a feeling it will grow in England with WSL Football – the company overseeing the country’s top two tiers – continuing to develop the professionalisation of the game.
Creating more marketing opportunities, attracting better sponsorship deals and building a commercially viable brand are all high on WSL Football’s priority list.
They have supported the influence of US billionaire Michele Kang, who led the way with her ownership of French giants Lyon, before taking over London City Lionesses, helping them gain promotion to the WSL this season.
Former NFL superstar Tom Brady’s input at Birmingham City has also provided a boost for the Women’s Championship side.
