Imagine this power duo! Former World No. 1 tennis champion and 23-time Grand Slam winner, Serena Williams, partnered with WNBA star Caitlin Clark to highlight the significance of women`s sports to the National Football League, one of the most profitable leagues globally.
Clark and Williams recently visited Palm Beach, Fla. alongside two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning for a panel titled `The Changing Face of Sports and Its Impact on the NFL.` During the panel, Williams openly addressed NFL owners, stating that the talent and skill of female athletes have always been there, and women`s sports are `finally` receiving the recognition they deserve.
`I believe we`ve had countless incredible women athletes for a long time, but you are just now noticing,` Williams remarked to NFL team owners. She also mentioned that she and her sister, Venus Williams, frequently attracted larger television audiences than men`s tennis matches when they competed.
`Men are just beginning to acknowledge the amazing contributions of women over the past 50 to 60 years,` she added.
Since retiring from professional tennis, Williams has focused on investments through her venture capital firm, Serena Ventures. However, her passion for sports remains a significant part of her portfolio. Since 2020, she, her husband Alexis Ohanian, and their daughter Olympia have been part of the ownership group of Angel City FC in the National Women`s Soccer League. In March, she was announced as the newest member of the ownership group for the Toronto Tempo, a WNBA team set to debut in 2026.
Must See
- Serena Williams joins ownership group of Toronto WNBA team
- Gauff `excited` to invest in future of women`s pro basketball
- Coco Gauff joins the chorus for opportunity in women’s sports
Williams also acknowledged the current generation of athletes, like Clark, for further expanding the platform for women`s sports. She playfully suggested that the 23-year-old Clark, named the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, would excel as a flag football player. Flag football, a non-contact version of American football, will debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and, according to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, is `generating significant interest` for both women and men.
`It`s simply investing in us,` Williams continued. `When we witness the impact of investing in women and what we can accomplish, it`s clear there`s a substantial opportunity for growth.`
Goodell, referring to Williams as `the GOAT,` stated that she `not only understands women`s sports but also possesses a deep understanding of business and sports, and I believe, society as a whole.`
