Top Investor Alexis Ohanian Bets Big on Women’s Volleyball Franchise

It’s been a dynamic year for Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and sports investor. He’s made some big moves in women’s sports, and his latest one—leading the ownership group for a new Los Angeles franchise in League One Volleyball (LOVB)—really stands out.

This post digs into Ohanian’s recent investments, what’s happening with LOVB, and how these moves might shake up women’s sports and the business behind it.

Alexis Ohanian’s Investment in League One Volleyball

Ohanian’s latest project? He’s heading up the ownership group for a new LOVB franchise in Los Angeles. LOVB is moving from a league-owned model to individually owned franchises, and they’re focusing on volleyball hotspots like Nebraska.

Ohanian’s involvement suggests he’s pretty optimistic about the league’s future. LOVB’s goal is to pull in more team investors and keep expanding.

The Appeal of Women’s Volleyball

So why volleyball? Ohanian sees a few things that make it special:

• Unique Position: Women’s volleyball doesn’t have a male-dominated counterpart, so the women’s game really shapes the culture.
• Massive Followings: The athletes already have huge fan bases and strong engagement.

He’s betting that women’s sports—especially volleyball—are undervalued and have tons of room to grow.

Other Major Investments in Women’s Sports

Ohanian isn’t stopping at volleyball. He bought a minority stake in Chelsea F.C. Women and joined their board this year. He also invested early in the NWSL’s Angel City FC and later sold his stake for a tidy profit.

Athlos Women’s Pro Track Event Series

He’s also backing the Athlos women’s pro track event series, which just pulled off a flashy “street meet” in Times Square, New York City. That event showed Ohanian’s drive to put women’s sports in the spotlight—literally.

Ohanian’s Broader Influence in the Sports World

Ohanian’s influence goes beyond just where he puts his money. He recently appeared on ESPN’s First Take to defend his wife, Serena Williams, after a misogynistic joke by Stephen A. Smith.

Moments like this show he’s not shy about standing up for women, whether it’s on the field or in the media.

Impact on Women’s Volleyball

People expect Ohanian’s involvement in LOVB to make waves in the sport:

• Grassroots Foundation: LOVB’s got a strong grassroots base, which matters for long-term growth.
• Business Model: The league’s structure aims for sustainability and real staying power.

When the chance to buy the LOVB LA franchise came up, Ohanian said it was a no-brainer.

Big Talkers in the Sports Business Industry

There are some big names and hot topics shaping sports business right now:

• WNBA Offseason: The looming CBA deadline could change the game for revenue sharing and player pay.
• NWSL Commissioner: Jessica Berman just got a three-year extension, which shows faith in her leadership.
• College Sports Financial Realities: New money dynamics are changing how colleges handle coach contracts and team budgets.

NBA Players as College GMs

Here’s something interesting: NBA stars are stepping in as general managers for their college basketball teams. Think Steph Curry at Davidson, Trae Young at Oklahoma, and Damian Lillard at Weber State.

Innovative Media and Entertainment Ventures

New media projects are shaking up the sports world too:

• F1 x “Chicken Shop Date”: Amelia Dimoldenberg’s YouTube show features F1 drivers giving her driving lessons. It’s a fun mix of sports and entertainment.
• Flag Football Mania: The UK is catching flag football fever, showing how the sport’s global appeal is growing fast.

FSG’s Ownership of Liverpool F.C.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) took over Liverpool F.C. back in 2010. Things weren’t easy at first, but the club has since racked up major wins, including league titles.

A look at FSG’s time with Liverpool shows how their strategy and professionalism have changed the club.

Rising TV Ratings and Financial Opportunities

Sports TV ratings are up just about everywhere—NFL, college football, WNBA, you name it. Big Data is helping teams and networks keep fans engaged in new ways.

Meanwhile, the Six Kings Slam tennis event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is offering a whopping $13.5 million purse. That’s drawing stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic.