A windfall for US football: Michele Kang, entrepreneur and owner of three football clubs (Washington Spirit, Olympique Lyon and London City Lionesses), made a cash gift of 30 million dollars to the US Soccer Federation on Tuesday. This money will be paid out over the next five years and will provide US Soccer with a bouquet of new measures, including talent development.
One specific measure mentioned is increasing the number of training camps for women and girls and doubling the number of female coaches and referees through a larger training and mentoring budget.
“Michele Kang’s gift will transform women’s and girls‘ football in the United States” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone.
donation AS SEED CAPITAL FOR MORE INVESTORs?
Michele Kang, who took over her last club in her portfolio with the investment in London at the end of 2023 and was included in Sports Illustrated’s ‘50 Most Influential Figures in Sport’ list in the same year, has big goals.
“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.”
She hopes that her investment will serve as ‘seed capital’ and encourage other donors to do the same.
Kang further justifies her investment by saying that in times when spectator numbers are doubling, interest in women’s football must be taken on board and that it is important to invest in young people during this phase in order to promote them.
National coach Emma Hayes was delighted with the donation from 65-year-old Kang: “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.”
Image: imago / Sports Press Photo
