Entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian is expanding his investment portfolio in women’s sports with a new stake in professional women’s volleyball. His venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six, will lead the ownership group of a new professional team, LOVB Los Angeles Volleyball, under League One Volleyball (LOVB). The investment follows a surge in volleyball’s popularity and growth across all levels.
Alexis Ohanian: A Champion of Women’s Sports
Alexis Ohanian, Reddit co-founder and husband of tennis legend Serena Williams, has become one of the top investors in women’s sports. Through Seven Seven Six, he already holds stakes in Angel City FC (NWSL) and LA Golf Club (TGL). His expanding portfolio also includes Chelsea FC Women, Athlos (a women’s track and field startup he founded in 2024), and a significant donation to the University of Virginia’s women’s basketball program.
His wife, Serena Williams, is also an investor in the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo, set to debut in 2026, and in the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled. Together, their contributions have fueled the momentum behind women’s sports globally.
A New Arena: League One Volleyball
Founded in 2020, League One Volleyball features both youth and professional volleyball programs. The league has secured media rights with ESPN and Versant (a Comcast spinoff) and sponsorships from major brands such as Skims. As of November, LOVB has raised over $160 million from investors including Lindsey Vonn, Candace Parker, and Kevin Durant’s Boardroom Sports Holdings.
Aligned in Vision: Ohanian’s Strategic Expansion
“We’re excited to make LOVB the third jewel in Seven Seven Six’s LA sports family,” Ohanian said. “Volleyball is such a natural addition for Southern California, which has already proven how warmly it embraces new pro sports teams.”
This investment aligns with Ohanian’s broader mission of building sustainable, high-profile platforms for female athletes.
The Significance of Volleyball
Volleyball’s growth has been remarkable, over 479,000 girls played at the high school level in the 2023–24 season, an all-time high according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. LOVB’s inaugural season also recorded multiple sold-out matches and over $1 million in merchandise sales, while ESPN reported record viewership for women’s volleyball games.
Impact On and Off the Court
Ohanian has said he views women’s sports as a “tremendous business opportunity.” In an interview with CNBC, he explained:
“We are just starting to see what happens when these leagues, these teams, and these athletes are getting the investment of resources, exposure, and dollars.”
His investments continue to reflect both a belief in the profitability and social impact of women’s sports.
A Bright Future Ahead
With Ohanian’s backing, League One Volleyball is positioned for a major expansion. The combination of strong financial support, growing fan engagement, and a commitment to female athletes suggests that the future of women’s volleyball and women’s sports as a whole, is brighter than ever.
For more coverage on women’s sports investments and athlete empowerment, visit Winning Her Way.
