Michele Kang: Pioneering a Global Empire in Women’s Soccer

Michele Kang is making significant waves in the world of women’s soccer, having built a burgeoning empire over the past year. Kang, who acquired a majority stake in the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Washington Spirit in 2022, has recently completed the acquisition of a 52.9% stake in the French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, an eight-time UEFA Women's Champions League winner.

Kang’s vision extends far beyond these two teams. She plans to own at least one team on each continent, with the goal of accelerating the growth of women’s soccer globally. “Women’s soccer around the world needs investment,” Kang emphasized, highlighting the need for focused investment in women’s teams across Europe, Asia, South America, and Latin America.

A key aspect of Kang’s strategy is to treat women’s soccer teams as independent businesses rather than mere appendages to men’s teams. This approach includes tailored training programs that account for the unique physiology of female athletes. Under the guidance of Dawn Scott, the senior director of performance for the Washington Spirit, Kang aims to reduce the high incidence of injuries, such as ACL tears, by implementing research-driven training methodologies.

Kang also plans to establish an “innovation lab” dedicated to developing and sharing best practices across her teams. This lab will focus on performance training, medical care, nutrition, and technology, ensuring that each team has access to the best resources. The idea is to create standardized yet customizable training facilities, with the Washington Spirit and Olympique Lyonnais serving as models for future teams.

The Washington Spirit, under Kang’s ownership, has seen a significant turnaround, qualifying for the NWSL Championship for the first time since their 2021 title. This success is attributed to the comprehensive changes implemented by Kang, including the hiring of new staff and the development of a cohesive team vision.

Kang’s commitment to maintaining the unique identity of each team is clear. Despite the shared resources and methodologies, each team will retain its local fandom and identity, ensuring that they remain champions in their respective countries.