Who is Michele Kang, the donor of a $30M gift to US Soccer?

The 65-year-old businesswoman owns three women's football teams: Washington Spirit, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and London City Lionesses.

US Soccer has announced that the organization will receive $30 million from businesswoman, Washington Spirit team owner and women's sports advocate Michele Kang. The 65-year-old agreed that Kang had pledged the amount to US Soccer for investments in women's and girls' programs.

The donation, which will be spread over the next five years, will help increase competitive opportunities for girls and increase the professional development of female players, as well as women in coaching and refereeing roles.

“Michele Kang's gift will transform women's and girls' soccer in the United States,” U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement. “It will impact generations of women and girls in our game.”

The donation comes just months after the USWNT under new coach Emma Hayes collected their fifth Olympic gold after a disappointing performance a year earlier at the 2023 Women's World Cup, where they crashed out in the round of 16.

Who is Michele Kang?

Originally from the Republic of Korea, Kang made her fortune in healthcare IT and in recent years the businesswoman has invested heavily in women's sports.

She owns NWSL side Washington Spirit, who have reached the 2024 championship finals against the Orlando Pride next weekend, and has become one of the most influential owners in the sport.

Last year she founded the first multi-team women's football organization, which also includes French club Olympique Lyonnais Feminin and England's London City Lionesses.

“Women's sports have been undervalued and overlooked for far too long,” Kang said in a statement, adding: “I am committed to raising the standard of excellence in women's football – both on and off the field – through the available to women athletes to reach their full potential.”

“I believe a gift like this will change the trajectory of the sport,” said Emma Hayes, head coach of the US Soccer Women's National Team. “We are at a pivotal moment for soccer in the US and this will help us support more female players, coaches and referees in the game.”