Michele Kang, U.S. Soccer announce $30 million investment in women’s soccer

On Tuesday morning, U.S. Soccer received a historic gift. It was announced on CBS Mornings that Michele Kang – who is the owner of the Washington Spirit, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, and London City Lionesses – will donate $30 million over the next five years to benefit U.S. Soccer’s women’s and girls’ soccer programs. It’s the largest investment ever in women’s soccer and the largest donation by a woman to U.S. Soccer.

The donation from Kang will help U.S. Soccer improve talent identification and increase the opportunities for youth players to compete at the highest level. The investment extends to coaches and referees as well, with the goal to fuel a massive development in all areas of the women’s game. U.S. Soccer will double the number of national team camps for youth national teams and they hope to improve their digital talent identification program to bring an additional 100,000 players and 70,000 female coaches and referees access to the national pipeline.

“Michele Kang’s gift will transform soccer for women and girls in the United States,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement. “It will impact generations of women and girls in our game, including players, coaches, and referees. I know firsthand the power soccer can have in someone’s life and thanks to Michele, we will be able to provide more support and opportunities for women and girls.”

Kang is the founder and CEO of Kynisca, which is the first multi-team global organization dedicated to women’s soccer. In addition to owning the Spirit, Lyon Women, and London City Lionesses, she has invested in Just Women’s Spots, IDA Spots as well as the USA Women’s Rugby Sevens Team. She continues her investment in women’s sports with the donation to U.S. Soccer.

“Women’s sports have been undervalued and overlooked for far too long,” said Michele Kang in a statement. “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 and surround them with the professional support they deserve. I hope this investment serves as ‘seed capital’ and spurs other donors to follow suit.”

It’s an incredible gesture that could help increase the player pool for the USWNT down the line with increased access to national team opportunities for young women. It will hopefully spawn further investment in the women’s game, helping the USWNT remain on top for generations to come.