Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang continues to show her support for the growth of women’s sports. Today, U.S. Soccer announced Kang has pledged to give $30 million to the nonprofit over the next five years to invest in women’s and girls’ programs across the country.
Kang’s gift marks the largest philanthropic investment in U.S. Soccer’s women’s and girls’ programs and the largest donation ever made to U.S. Soccer by a woman. The donation is set to give 100,000 female players and 70,000 female coaches and referees access to opportunities within the game.
“Women’s sports have been undervalued and overlooked for far too long,” said Kang in a press release. “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.”
Her donation will fund camps for women and girls, doubling the number of national team camps it currently runs for the Youth National Team; build out U.S. Soccer’s digital talent identification platform, bringing 12 times the number of players into the Youth National Team pipeline; and provide more professional development opportunities to female coaches and referees.
“Michele Kang’s gift will transform soccer for women and girls in the United States,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone in a press release. “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 has been at the forefront of growing women’s sports since becoming part of the Spirit’s ownership group in 2020. In 2022, Kang became sole owner of the club, and has since become owner of Olympique Lyonnais Feminin and the London City Lionesses. Over the Summer, Kang’s Kynsica Sports International, the first multi-club organization in women’s football, gifted $4 million over the next four years to the USA Women’s Rugby Sevens team after the team won a bronze medal during the Summer Olympics — the first Olympic medal for Team USA in rugby sevens.
Feature image of Michele Kang courtesy U.S. Soccer
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