Serena Williams, renowned tennis icon and 23-time Grand Slam champion, is eyeing a potential investment in women’s basketball, signaling her enthusiasm for backing the sport.
In a recent interview with CNN ahead of the WNBA Draft, Williams expressed her strong inclination towards investing in a WNBA team, stating:
“I absolutely would be. With the right market, I would definitely be super interested in that.”
Having amassed approximately $95 million in prize money throughout her illustrious tennis career, with Forbes estimating her net worth at $290 million, Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, have actively pursued various sports ventures.
Their investment portfolio includes Angel City FC of the National Women’s Soccer League and the Los Angeles Golf Club, among others.
While Williams didn’t specify her exact interests in WNBA investment, the league’s recent expansion plans, particularly to the Bay Area alongside the Golden State Warriors by 2025, have undoubtedly captured her attention.
To expand the league from 12 to 16 teams by 2028, the WNBA’s growing prominence aligns with Williams’ vision of uplifting women’s sports.
Reflecting on the burgeoning momentum of women’s athletics, Williams noted that it is important to elevate sports like women’s basketball and soccer to the same international platform as tennis.
She mentioned the increasing popularity of women’s sports, citing the recent NCAA tournaments where viewership for the women’s national championship surpassed that of the men’s final.
Addressing concerns about the risks associated with investing in women’s basketball, Williams confidently dismissed them, asserting:
“There is no risk. Women’s sport is exciting, women are exciting to watch. … It’s an overly safe bet when it comes to investing.”
