Michele Kang: Trailblazer of Women’s Soccer

Michele Kang is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and sports executive making a significant impact in both the business and sports industries. She was born in South Korea and moved to the U.S. to pursue higher education. Kang is the first woman of color to be the majority owner of a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, the Washington Spirit. She champions the investment in women's sports, player welfare, and long term sustainability in women’s sports. 

Kang entered the NWSL as a minority investor of the Washington Spirit, and in 2022 she successfully became the controlling owner with the support of the Spirit’s players. This move was a turning point for the team and the league as a whole. Kang is also the majority owner of two other women’s soccer teams: Olympique Lyonnais Féminin (Division 1 Feminine, France) and the London City Lionesses (FA WSL 2, England). 

Since acquiring the Spirit, Kang has launched Kynisca Sports International (KSI) in 2024, the first global multi-team women’s soccer organization hoping to bring more investment to the sport. The organization is named after Cynisca of Sparta, the first woman to be crowned champion at the ancient Olympic Games. As a woman, Cynsica, a Spartan princess, was not allowed to participate directly in the games. Even so, her wealth ensured that she could be the owner of four horses that won the chariot race. As the owner, the victory was hers, thus Olympic records hold her name. Kang states that the organization aims to bring together elite teams from all continents to support further innovation in women's sports focusing on researching, training, developing, and recruiting female athletes. KSI has already made major investments totaling $2 million in IDA sports, a shoe brand specializing in cleats and turf shoes specific to the female body hoping to prevent the increasingly large number of ACL tears in women’s soccer.  

Michele Kang represents a new wave of sports ownership – one that is proactive, business-minded, and deeply committed to positive change. Her journey from the corporate world to professional women’s sports showcases her versatility and leadership. As she continues to push for innovation and investment in women’s soccer she is likely to remain a key figure in shaping its future. Her legacy will likely be one of transformation, proving that with the right vision and commitment women’s sports can thrive on a global scale.