Sonia Bompastor says Alexis Ohanian £20m investment in Chelsea Women shows English football is ‘in a good place’
SONIA BOMPASTOR reckons Alexis Ohanian’s decision to buy a stake in WSL champions Chelsea, is a positive move for the women’s game.
And the Blues chief hopes the Reddit co-founder’s move will encourage others to invest in the sport in England.
The France-born coach, 44, was speaking earlier today, a day after The Times reported the internet had entrepreneur purchased a ten per cent stake worth around £20million in their women’s side.
Along with tennis legend wife Serena Williams, Ohanian is also an investor in US women’s outfit Angel City.
His also the largest shareholder of the National Women’s Soccer League side whose founders include actor and film star Natalie Portman.
The USA-born multimillionaire, 42, and Williams, 43, are due to visit Wembley on Sunday, to watch Chelsea in action against Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final.
Of his backing Bompastor said: “That’s really important for the women’s game, but also for England to have someone who invests in a team like Chelsea.
“This investment is game-changing for the women’s game, but also for young girls.
“We want to be one of the best teams in the world in terms of results on the pitch, but also we want to be a model off the pitch.
“We want to make sure when young girls look at our team, they dream of being one of our players for the future.
“We want to be the team that shows every other team how you need to perform and how you need to invest in the women’s game.
“Hopefully this example will bring some other people who will invest in women’s teams in this league.”
Earlier today Ohanian posted a picture via his official account social media platform X featuring a Chelsea shirt.
The Blues jersey featured the number 776 on the back in reference to the name of a tech venture capital firm established by the American businessman in September 2020.
Today Chelsea Women chief executive Aki Mandhar described Ohanian’s move as a “landmark day” for the team and for women’s football in Europe and beyond.
Mandhar added: “This investment is validation of the club’s past success.
“More importantly it is yet another proof point in the market of the persistent growth and potential of women’s football.
“We continue to lead the way, on and off the pitch, for players and for our fans and brands, empowering and inspiring future athletes and the next generation of sports fans.
“As a club, we are unapologetically ambitious.
“This investment is proof that the opportunities for growth in the business of women’s football are endless.”
When the Chelsea boss was asked her thoughts why Ohanian invested she added: “We are the best. Simple. The results help a lot.”
This Sunday Chelsea will attempt to seal a trophy treble win with United targeting back-to-back triumphs following their first Cup final victory last year.
Bompastor said: “We know we are facing a really strong team, so we’ll be ready for that.
“We feel ready going into this final, but it will be a really special moment.
“I heard maybe 80,000 tickets were sold.
“Just to have the opportunity to play in that stadium in front of an almost sold-out crowd will be the perfect end to a season, if we win.”