Imagine this doubles team: Serena Williams, a former world No. 1 and 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, partnered with WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark to promote the significance of women`s sports to the National Football League, one of the world`s most profitable sports leagues.
Clark and Williams recently attended a panel discussion in Palm Beach, Florida, alongside two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning. The panel, titled `The Changing Face of Sports and Its Impact on the NFL,` featured Williams directly addressing NFL owners. She emphasized that the talent and skill of female athletes have always been present, and women`s sports are now finally receiving the recognition they deserve.
Williams stated to the NFL team owners, `I believe we`ve had countless incredible female athletes for many years, but you are just now taking notice, and that`s the simple truth.` She further mentioned that she and her sister, Venus Williams, frequently surpassed men`s tennis in television viewership during their matches.
She added, `It`s just that men are finally acknowledging the excellence of women in sports for the past 50 to 60 years.`
Since her retirement, 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 latest member of the ownership group for the Toronto Tempo, a WNBA team set to debut in 2026.
Williams also acknowledged the current generation of athletes, like Clark, for further expanding the platform for women`s sports. She playfully suggested that Clark, the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year, would excel as a flag football player. Flag football, a non-contact version of American football, will be introduced at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and, according to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, is generating considerable interest among both women and men.
Williams continued, `It`s about investing in us. When we witness the outcomes of investing in women and our potential, it reveals a substantial opportunity for growth.`
Goodell, referring to Williams as `the GOAT,` commented that she `not only understands women`s sports but also possesses a deep understanding of business, sports, and society as a whole.`
