Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian gives away biggest donation in UVA women’s basketball history for first major entry into sport

Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, recently made a major contribution to the UVA women’s basketball program. A passionate advocate for women’s sports, Ohanian is an alumnus of the University of Virginia, having graduated in 2005.

The Virginia Athletics Foundation, alongside Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Virginia Athletics, announced the major news on Thursday, December 12. While the exact amount hasn’t been disclosed, the donation marks the largest in the history of the Cavalier women’s basketball program and the second-largest ever to UVA’s women’s athletics. Ohanian later shared his pride in supporting this initiative.

“It’s probably the question I get the most often these days – When are you going to make moves in women’s basketball? I am proud to support the women’s program at my alma meter with this donation. It’s time to bring the nation’s best hoops talent to Charlottesville and win some championships in the next four years,” he told ESPN.

Speaking to ESPN, the school revealed that the primary goal of this donation is to establish Virginia’s women’s basketball program as a top destination for female athletes while meeting the financial and competitive challenges of college athletics.

Alexis Ohanian once shared that a dare from his wife Serena Williams inspired him to invest in the National Women’s Soccer League’s team Angel City FC. The conversation centered on the need for fair pay for women in sports, a challenge the 41-year-old took seriously.

Ohanian went on to become the major shareholder of the team, to make it the “best franchise in the world.”

The Reddit co-founder, alongside NJ/NY Gotham FC forward Midge Purce, co-created a series titled “The Offseason,” which chronicles the lives and training of 11 NWSL players during the offseason in Miami. The series has gained significant attention recently, and Ohanian has often celebrated its success on social media.

Ohanian currently leads the venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, which focuses on investing in technology-driven ventures. Through his firm, he organized an exclusive event for female athletes called Athlos NYC, held in September at Icahn Stadium.

The event featured six races, including the 100m, 200m, 100m hurdles, 400m, 800m, and 1500m. The inaugural edition also showcased top athletes like Gabby Thomas, Brittany Brown, Masai Russell, and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.