Michele Kang Invests $30 Million in U.S. Women’s Soccer Programs

U.S. Soccer has received a historic $30 million investment from Michele Kang, owner of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team Washington Spirit. The announcement marks a significant milestone as the largest philanthropic investment in women’s and girls’ soccer in the federation’s history. The contribution was made public during Kang’s appearance on CBS Mornings.

The funds from Kang’s investment, which will be distributed over five years, are set to enhance U.S. Soccer’s programs aimed at recruiting and developing young female players. The initiative will also expand career opportunities for women in coaching, refereeing, and technical roles. «Through Kang’s generous support, U.S. Soccer will double the number of youth camps annually and significantly expand its digital talent identification platform,» stated a representative from U.S. Soccer.

Michele Kang, who made headlines as the first woman of color to be the majority owner of an NWSL team, initially became involved in women’s soccer with her acquisition of a 35% stake in the Washington Spirit in December 2020. She assumed the role of majority owner in March 2022, following the departure of the previous owner amid controversies concerning workplace culture.

Under Kang’s leadership, the Washington Spirit achieved notable success, including winning the NWSL Championship in 2021 and reaching the finals again recently. Beyond the Spirit, Kang has broadened her influence in women’s sports through investments, including becoming the majority owner of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and acquiring London City Lionesses. These clubs fall under Kynisca Sports International, Kang’s sports group that also launched the Kynisca Innovation Hub (KIH) with a $50 million investment in sports science for female athletes.

Kang’s entrepreneurial ventures extend beyond soccer into media, athletic footwear, and rugby. She has invested in Just Women's Sports, IDA Sports, and provided a $4 million gift to the U.S. women’s rugby team. Recently, U.S. Soccer has bolstered its project funding with similar investments from wealthy donors. Notably, the hiring of men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino was facilitated by a donation from hedge fund manager Ken Griffin.

Michele Kang’s investment aims to ensure long-term competitiveness for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), reinforcing its standing as a global leader in women’s soccer. As other nations increase investment in women’s soccer, Kang’s contribution seeks to maintain the U.S.’s advantage in player development and uphold the team’s prestigious reputation.