Serena Williams’s husband Alexis Ohanian is a true ‘girl dad’ and has embraced fatherhood in every possible way. Whether it’s turning up as “papa pancake” or a supportive “daddy caddy” for his daughter Olympia’s golf sessions, he’s always there. But the Reddit co-founder’s influence doesn’t stop at sports practice. The Reddit co-founder recently revealed that his eldest daughter has been a guiding force in his business decisions, too.

Ohanian was recently a speaker at the Forbes 3050 Summit in Abu Dhabi, an event that celebrates the achievements of women across different fields. During his talk, he shared how his business journey took a major turn—thanks to Olympia. The 41-year-old left Reddit 5 years ago, citing differences with the board. Mainly racial injustice and advocating for certain ‘hateful’ content to be prohibited. After his departure from Reddit, his eldest daughter, Olympia, was the inspiration for him to champion women’s sports.

At the event, he said, “Olympia was in many ways my North Star and I said I want to keep building businesses and I want to be doing it in a way that I know I’m gonna be proud of and so that’s why I started 776, seeded it with $100 million of my own money and said I am going to use this to drive the best business outcomes in a way that I can brag to my daughters and grandkids about one day.”

This shift led Ohanian to invest in women’s sports, including the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team Angel City FC. He also founded Athlos NYC, an all-women track and field event that set new standards in the sport. The event broke records as it gave the biggest prize purse. Winners across six distances received $60,000 each, along with a Tiffany & Co. crown.

So what was the specific moment that led to Alexis Ohanian stepping into women’s sport?

Serena Williams’s husband Alexis Ohanian reveals the key moment that changed everything

Alexis Ohanian recalled a special moment during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Watching the final with his wife, Serena Williams, and their daughter, something clicked for him. “A big part of the reason why I started Angel City FC was because Olympia was running around, this is 2019 in an Alex Morgan jersey,” Ohanian said in an interview with On Her Turf.

That moment sparked a conversation between him and his wife, Serena Williams—one that changed everything. “I commented to my wife, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be nice one day if Olympia played on the national team?’ And without missing a beat, Serena said, ‘Not until she’s paid what she’s worth.’ And I said, ‘Alright, challenge accepted.’”

That challenge became Ohanian’s mission. And he cherished every moment of that success. In January 2025, he shared a touching memory from Athlos’ grand opening featuring Olympia. He posted a photo of his daughter wearing a silver crown before the races began, a moment he now keeps framed in his office. “I think about this photo all the time,” he wrote on social media. “One of those precious moments before all the @athlos action began; I hope Jr. remembers this night for a long time. And this was just the start.”

For Alexis Ohanian, being a father isn’t just about showing up—it’s about building a future that his daughters can be proud of. Whether it’s on the soccer field, the track, or the business world, his work continues to be shaped by Olympia’s influence. And with everything he’s already accomplished, what’s next on his mission for women’s sports?