Serena Williams is allegedly one of the investors behind a new bid to purchase Chelsea Football Club (Chelsea F.C.) from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich [1], according to a Sky News [2] report. Williams and F1 racing champion Sir Lewis Hamilton [3] are reportedly aiming to pour 10 million pounds (approximately $13.06 million) each into a bid led by Liverpool football club chairman, Sir Martin Broughton. Williams' and Hamilton's involvement in the bid for the UK-based football club was confirmed by a "source close to the bid," according to Reuters [4].

At the moment, there are three bids to acquire the popular Premier League champions [5], according to Sky News. One is a joint bid from NBA Board of Governors member Steve Pagliuca [6] and Chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Larry Tanenbaum [7], who had previously made a move [8] to purchase the team two decades ago when Abramovich ended up securing the team. Chairman of the LA Dodgers baseball team, Todd Boehly [9], has put in a second bid. And, as mentioned, there's Broughton's bid with Williams and Hamilton.

Williams is no newcomer to investing in sports. The tennis champion is currently named a co-owner (along with her daughter, Olympia [10]) of Los Angeles-based US women's football club Angel City [11]. The Olympian [12] is also at the helm of her venture capital firm Serena Ventures, which has already poured funds into "60 companies," according to the New York Times [13].

These bids come after the UK government's recent sanctions against Russia and Russian billionaires twisted Abramovich's arm to sell the world-famous football club after nearly two decades of ownership, according to an ESPN [14] report. "In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club's sponsors and partners," Abramovich stated on the Chelsea F.C. [15] site.

At this time, Williams has yet to comment on her participation in the alleged bid.