Who is Michele Kang, the donor of a $30M gift to US Soccer?
The 65-year-old businesswoman owns three women’s soccer teams: Washington Spirit, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, and London City Lionesses.
U.S. Soccer have announced that the organisation will be gifted $30 million dollars by businesswoman, Washington Spirit team owner, and women’s sports advocate Michele Kang. The 65-year-old agreed Kang pledged the sum to U.S. Soccer for investment in women’s and girls’ programs.
Michele Kang's investment, working with the Federation in service to soccer, will fuel professional development for female players, coaches, and referees.
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) November 19, 2024
For more » https://t.co/C9XYfD0KPZ pic.twitter.com/j9Ei8cDds1
The donation, which will be staggered over the next five years will help grow competitive opportunities for girls and professional development for female players, as well as women in coaching and referee roles.
“Michele Kang’s gift will transform soccer for women and girls 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.”
Billionaire philanthropist Michele Kang is making a $30 million donation to @ussoccer over five years, which will help fund professional development and opportunities for women and girls in the sport.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) November 19, 2024
Kang and U.S. Soccer President @cone_cindy say the donation could “change the… pic.twitter.com/ZkTHhvNaAO
The donation comes just months after the USWNT collected their fifth Olympic gold under new coach emma Hayes after a disappointing showing a year earlier at the 2023 Women’s World Cup where they crashed out at the Round of 16 stage.
Who is Michele Kang?
Originally from Korea Republic, 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 made it to the final of the 2024 Championship final match against the Orlando Pride next weekend has emerged as one of the most influential owners in the sport.
Last year she founded the first multi-team women’s football organisation that also encompasses French club Olympique Lyonnais Feminin and English side 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 soccer -- both on and off the pitch -- by delivering the resources female athletes need to reach their full potential.”
“I believe a gift like this will change the trajectory of the sport,” said U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes. “We’re in a pivotal moment for soccer in the U.S. and this will help us support more female players, coaches and referees in the game.”
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