Serena Williams's husband Alexis Ohanian will partner with Olympian Gabby Thomas, sponsoring women-only track event after the Paris Olympic Games.
Billionaire businessman Alexis Ohanian has taken an interest in athletics and will partner with two-time Olympic medallist Gabby Thomas to sponsor a women-only track meet after the Paris Olympic Games.
Ohanian- founder of Reddit and husband to tennis legend Serena Williams, made the partnership known during the Business of Women’s Sports Conference in New York City, where he announced that his Seven Seven Six venture capital firm will sponsor a new track event called the 776 Invitational.
The invitational will take place in September after the Paris Olympics, offering the largest-ever purse for a women-only competition. Across all races, the winner will take home $60,000, $25,000 for second place, and $10,000 will go to the third position.
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“At 776, we believe in the power of sports to drive positive change and inspire future generations,” said Ohanian in his statement. “By investing in women’s track, we aim to build a best-in-class event that elevates the profile of top women athletes and creates a more equitable sporting landscape.”
Thomas, who's excited to be part of the project shared on her X page that the 776 Invitational will bring the much-needed impact in the growth of women's track.
"SO excited to partner with @alexisohanian as he hosts the 776 invitational this year following the Olympic Games!! This event will not only have the biggest purse of any women’s track event, but it will truly make a much-needed impact on our sport," she wrote.
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“I am excited to partner with forward-thinking organizations like 776 that share our vision for advancing women’s track,” Thomas said. “Through this investment, we hope to not only provide athletes with the resources and visibility they need to have enduring careers but also to inspire fans worldwide with a reinvented format to experience the best of our sport.”
The 776 Invitational is the second announcement by Ohanian related to women’s sports, after making it known he will invest in The Sports Bra, a renowned bar in Portland, Oregon dedicated to showing women’s sports on television.
Ohanian is also the principal owner of NWSL team Angel City FC.