Tennis legend Serena Williams is reportedly looking to add another sports team ownership stake to her resume.
In 2009, Venus and Serena Williams purchased a minority stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins from owner Stephen Ross. Last month, it was reported that Williams also joined the ownership group of the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo, who will begin play in 2026.
Now, Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reports that Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, have put forward a bid for the NFL’s planned flag football league.
“The league is receiving a lot of “interest and enthusiasm” from potential backers of the planned men’s and women’s flag football leagues, added the NFL spokesperson. The NFL wants to invest in the leagues but have other partners operate them, sources said. Once the leagues are operational, the NFL plans to sell media packages to current or new rights partners, media czar Brian Rolapp told FOS during Super Bowl week.”
The league is receiving a lot of “interest and enthusiasm” from potential backers of the planned men’s and women’s flag football leagues, added the NFL spokesperson. The NFL wants to invest in the leagues but have other partners operate them, sources said. Once the leagues are operational, the NFL plans to sell media packages to current or new rights partners, media czar Brian Rolapp told FOS during Super Bowl week.
During Super Bowl 59 week in New Orleans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suggested adding a professional flag football league to help grow the game. Goodell even floated the idea of having one league for men and a separate league for women.
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Flag football will debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California, with separate events held for men and women. Goodell also told reporters during the league’s annual meetings that several players have expressed their wish to play in the Olympics.
September marked two years since Serena Williams retired from professional tennis. She won 23 majors in singles competition, including seven Wimbledon tournaments and seven Australian Opens.
Serena Williams Is AMong Many Big-Named Athletes To Become A Sports Team Owner
Over the past decade, we’ve seen a trend of big-named athletes (retired and current) purchase minority stakes in professional sports teams. LeBron James has stakes in Liverpool F.C., the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
Tom Brady became part-owner of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces before joining the Las Vegas Raiders’ ownership group (both teams are owned by Mark Davis). Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has stakes in MLB’s Kansas City Royals, Sporting KC of MLS and the NWSL’s Kansas City Current.
Speaking of quarterbacks, Aaron Rodgers became part-owner of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks during his tenure with the Green Bay Packers.
Also Read: Which Popular Athletes, Including Serena Williams, Have Invested In The WNBA?
