NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo acquires Chelsea stake after MLS investment

Tom Weber

• 9 Feb 2026 19:00 CST
• 5 min read

News

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has acquired a stake in Chelsea Women after previously investing in Major League Soccer franchise Nashville SC.

The NBA star has added another sports team to his growing financial portfolio. Giannis, a self-proclaimed former Arsenal supporter, has joined the ownership group of Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, which acquired a 10 per cent stake in Chelsea Women from BlueCo last May.

Ohanian, the husband of tennis superstar Serena Williams, bought £20 million ($27m, €23m) worth of shares in 2025 via Seven Seven Six Capital, thus valuing Chelsea Women at over £200m and making it the most valuable women's sports team in the world.

This was not only a significant milestone for women's football, it was also vitally important for Chelsea, whose previous £200m sale of the team from Chelsea FC Holdings to sister company BlueCo faced scrutiny as it helped the men's team avoid falling foul of Premier League financial regulations.

Ohanian's acquisition lent credence to Chelsea's valuation of the women's team, and this valuation has now increased further thanks to Gianni's investment.

Giannis acquires Chelsea stake

The Milwaukee Bucks star wrote on his social accounts: "I'm proud and honoured to partner with my friend Alexis Ohanian, joining the ownership group of Chelsea FC Women, a historic club built on passion, excellence, and a winning culture.

"Chelsea’s history speaks for itself, and I’m excited to contribute to the future by supporting continued growth and impact in women’s sport. This is about ambition, legacy, and pushing the game to new heights. Up the Chels!"

It is Giannis' second investment in a football team after he acquired a minority stake in MLS franchise Nashville SC in 2023, along with his brothers. He also co-owns the Milwaukee Brewers in MLB.

Back in 2020, he revealed that he supported Arsenal when he was younger. "I used to watch a lot of football when I was growing up," he said. "My dad was a football player, and football was our life. I started playing basketball when I was 13.

"My favourite team used to be Arsenal, and my favourite player used to be Thierry Henry. I am an Arsenal fan, but I liked PSG when Zlatan Ibrahimovic was on the team. Deep down, I am still an Arsenal fan."

By 2025, though, that love for the Gunners had faded, with Giannis writing on X that "Real Madrid" had "probably" become his favourite team.

Chelsea Women are struggling this season

It is not unusual for current and former NBA stars to be avid football supporters and indeed to finance teams. Back in October, Jimmy Butler bought a minority stake in NWSL side San Diego Wave, while LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden and Magic Johnson have also invested in various teams.

For Chelsea, the announcement of Giannis' investment comes at an interesting time as they are enduring an uncharacteristically difficult season. The perennial WSL champions are currently only third, nine points off league leaders Man City.

The Blues have won six consecutive WSL titles and a total of eight since 2015. The disappointing form this season has given rise to speculation that Sonia Bompastor's job could be under threat, but Chelsea quickly squashed the rumours by handing her a new contract.

Chelsea broke the women's transfer record in January 2025 by acquiring USWNT star Naomi Girma for $1.1m from San Diego. They again spent big on an American when they signed Alyssa Thompson from Angel City for $1.3m plus bonuses in the summer.

The third American on Chelsea's roster, Catarina Macario, is believed to be on her way out of the club, having recently rejected a contract extension. Her current deal is up in the summer.

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