On December 4, Serena Williams addressed the growing prominence of women’s sports during her appearance at the New York Times DealBook Summit, emphasizing that women athletes have always been exceptional, even if recognition has only recently increased. Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, stressed that the achievements of women athletes deserve acknowledgment, saying, “You guys are just noticing, and I think it’s important that people realize that.”
Beyond her career in tennis, Williams has been an advocate for women’s sports through her entrepreneurial endeavors. Her investment firm, Serena Ventures, supports female-led startups, and she has invested in organizations aimed at creating better opportunities for women in sports. In 2022, she partnered with Nike to invest $1.3 million in 20 organizations promoting women’s sports globally.
Williams has also expressed interest in investing in a WNBA team. In an interview with CNN earlier this year, she highlighted the excitement surrounding women’s sports and noted that the popularity of women’s basketball, such as the viewership of college women’s basketball, demonstrates the growing recognition of female athletes. She views investing in women’s sports as a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.
In addition to her support for women’s sports, Williams is a co-owner of Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League team, and a major investor in the Los Angeles Golf Club. Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, also champions women’s sports through his venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six, and co-produces the National Women’s Soccer League series Offseason, which has gained widespread popularity.
