Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang pledges $30 million to US Soccer

Michele Kang, the businesswoman and owner of the Washington Spirit, has made history with a $30 million donation to U.S. Soccer, marking the largest contribution ever to the federation’s programs for women and girls. This groundbreaking pledge is not only the largest donation made by a woman but also aims to significantly enhance the development of women’s soccer in the United States.

The funds will be allocated over the next five years, with US Soccer hoping to use this investment to expand the pipeline for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT). The federation’s goal is to bring 12 times as many players into the pipeline, ultimately increasing the number to 100,000. Additionally, the money will help grow the number of female coaches and referees across the country, providing critical resources to boost female representation and expertise within the sport.

Kang, who was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the 50 most influential figures in sports last year, is a trailblazer in the world of women’s soccer. She is the first woman of color to own a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team, and she is the founder and CEO of Kynisca, the first global organization dedicated to supporting women’s football through multi-team ownership. Beyond the Washington Spirit, Kang also owns two other prominent clubs: the London City Lionesses and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, one of the most successful teams in women’s soccer history.

In a statement, Kang emphasized the importance of elevating women’s sports, which she believes have long been undervalued and overlooked. “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 surrounding them with the professional support they deserve,” she said. Kang hopes that her investment will inspire other donors to step up and follow her lead in supporting women’s soccer.

US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone also praised Kang’s transformative contribution, calling it a gift that will “impact generations of women and girls in our game.” The donation is set to benefit not only players but also coaches and referees, helping to build a more robust infrastructure for female talent at all levels of the sport.

Emma Hayes, head coach of the US Women’s National Team, which Kang’s donation will help support, expressed her excitement about the potential impact of the pledge. Hayes, who took over the USWNT head coaching position in May of this year, stated, “I believe a gift like this will change the trajectory of the sport. We’re in a pivotal moment for soccer in the US, and this will help us support more female players, coaches, and referees in the game.”

The $30 million donation is the third major philanthropic contribution to US Soccer in the past 14 months. It follows the $50 million pledge by Arthur M. Blank to support US Soccer’s National Training Center in September 2023 and Ken Griffin’s financial backing in the hiring of men’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino in September 2024. These gifts demonstrate a growing commitment to supporting soccer’s development in the U.S. across both the men’s and women’s games.

The announcement of Kang’s donation comes at a significant time for the Washington Spirit, as the team prepares to face off against the Orlando Pride in the NWSL Championship final this Saturday. As one of the most influential figures in women’s soccer today, Kang’s actions continue to make a lasting impact on the sport, paving the way for future generations of female athletes to thrive.

In summary, Michele Kang’s $30 million donation to US Soccer represents a monumental shift for the sport, providing invaluable resources that will help develop female talent, coaches, and referees across the country. Her pledge is a beacon of change, demonstrating the power of investment in women’s soccer and its ability to create long-term, positive change for future generations.