Michele Kang

{{Infobox person

| name = Michele Kang

| image = Michelle Kang 220917-F-LE393-0304.jpg

| image caption = Kang at a Washington Spirit game in 2022

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|06|01|df=y}}

| birth_place = South Korea

| alma_mater = University of Chicago (BA)
Yale School of Management (MPPM)

| occupation = CEO and founder of Kynisca Sports International

| years_active =

| known_for = Majority owner of Washington Spirit
Majority owner of OL Féminin
Majority owner of London City Lionesses
OL Groupe board director
Eagle Football Holdings director

| notable_works =

}}

File:P20240318AS-1670 (53610885680).jpg's signing of an executive order on advancing women's health research and innovation, March 18, 2024, in the East Room of the White House]]

Yongmee Michele Kang (born 1 June 1959{{Cite web |title=Directors operating in England and who have passed through London City Lionesses |url=https://www.playmakerstats.com/directors/active?current_institution_country_id=16&team_id=243864 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=www.playmakerstats.com |language=en-GB}}) is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, investor, and owner of multiple professional football (soccer) teams.{{Cite web |last=Shepard |first=Kit |date=2024-07-23 |title=London City Lionesses out to break Premier League stranglehold on WSL |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/london-city-womens-championship-michele-kang-kosovare-asllani-dkdl2k6rm |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=The Times |language=en}}{{cite web |title=AP 01 Appointment Of A Director |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14379286/filing-history/MzM3MzY0Mzk3NWFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |publisher=Companies House}} She became vice president of the e-Business unit of Northrop Grumman in 2000. Since 2006, she is on the board of directors at Rexahn Pharmaceuticals. In 2008, she founded Cognosante, a medical technology company, and Cognosante Ventures, a venture capital firm.{{cite news |last=Pandy |first=Jordan |date=September 17, 2020 |title=Venture capital firm founder buys Palm Beach condo for $6M |url=https://therealdeal.com/miami/2020/09/17/venture-capital-firm-founder-buys-palm-beach-condo-for-6m/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=The Real Deal}}

Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, Kang attended the Ewha Womans University. While in her first year of business administration at the Sogang University in 1980, the student-led protest for democracy, the Gwangju Uprising, broke out that prompted her to move to United States. Using her parents' savings for her future marriage, she entered the University of Chicago, and graduated in economics. She then obtained her master's degree in public and private management (MPPM) from the Yale School of Management.

Since 2020, Kang turned her attention to promoting and investing in women's football as scandals emerged in United States National Women's Soccer League.{{cite news |last1=Hensley-Clancy |first1=Molly |last2=Goff |first2=Steven |date=April 30, 2021 |title=Co-owners of NWSL's Spirit fight for control after abuse allegations against coach |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/08/30/washington-spirit-owners-steve-baldwin/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post}} In 2022, she became the majority owner of Washington Spirit, which competes in the NWSL; then of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, which competes in the French Première Ligue;{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5262755/2024/02/09/lyon-women-takeover-kang-textor/ |title=Lyon women’s team bought by Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang |date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=The Athletic |publisher=The New York Times |first1=Charlotte |last1=Harpur}} and of the London City Lionesses, which competes in the English Women's Championship.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/18/london-city-lionesses-owner-michele-kang-this-is-a-serious-investment |title=London City Lionesses’ owner Michele Kang: 'This is a serious investment' |date=August 18, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=The Guardian |first1=Tom |last1=Garry}} In 2024, she established a London-based Kynisca Sports International as an umbrella management for her multi-club ownership.{{Cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Gillian |date=July 27, 2024 |title=Kang Pledges $50 Million So Female Athletes Aren't Trained as 'Small Men' |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-27/kang-pledges-50-million-so-women-aren-t-trained-as-small-men |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=Bloomberg}} She is described as "the first tycoon of women's football."{{Cite news |last=Kuper |first=Simon |date=2024-05-25 |title=Women’s football boss Michele Kang: ‘I want the next generation to compete on an equal playing field’ |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b7bb32ea-44ef-49cb-bf72-b78f6cffb1be |access-date=2025-03-13 |work=Financial Times}}{{Cite web |last=Botcherby |first=Elizabeth |last2=Hartley |first2=Sophia |date=2025-04-17 |title=Michele Kang giving European powerhouses Lyon a new lease of life |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cpwzq5gj25vo |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

Early life

Kang was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea,{{Cite web |last=Huang |first=Eva |date=2023-07-03 |title=Michele Kang Believes in the Importance of Women Soccer |url=https://journal.letterly.io/articles/michele-kang-believes-in-the-importance-of-women-soccer/# |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Letterly Journal |language=en-US}} the youngest of three sisters.{{Cite news |last=Linehan |first=Meg |date=2024-11-23 |title=How Michele Kang became one of the biggest investors in women’s soccer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5940050/2024/11/22/michele-kang-womens-soccer-investment/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Her mother was a lawyer and politician, Lee Yoon-ja, who was elected member of the parliament in the 11th and 13th National Assembly of South Korea.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Heesu |date=2024-11-20 |title=Korean American businessman Michelle Kang Kognosant donated a record $30 million |url=https://www.mk.co.kr/en/world/11173507 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Maeil Business Newspaper |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2024 |title=Korean American donates record 41.8 billion won to U.S. women's soccer |url=https://www.oka.go.kr/attach/cms/webzine/main/2025/02/0BA21EAB15994B049A10D480BBF8463F.pdf |work=Overseas Koreans Agency |publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Korea |page=18}} Her father was educated in US through the US-sponsored scholarship during the rebuilding of South Korea after World War II, and was one of the first four{{Cite web |title=News & Announcements: Horatio Alger Award Recipient CLASS OF 2023 |url=https://horatioalger.org/members/detail/y-michele-kang/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Horatio Alger |language=en-US}} selected by the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency{{Cite journal |last=Lyons |first=Gene M. |date=1958 |title=American Policy and The United Nation's Program For Korean Reconstruction |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-organization/article/abs/american-policy-and-the-united-nations-program-for-korean-reconstruction/01BCCCA21806E772F498CD252511EF7F |journal=International Organization |language=en |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=180–192 |doi=10.1017/S0020818300008535 |issn=1531-5088 |jstor=2704931}} for the financial support.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-24 |title=Michele Kang |url=https://americandreamstory.com/michele-kang/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=American Dream Story |language=en-US}} She studied at the Ewha Womans University, a private institute in Seoul.{{Cite web |last=Di Mento |first=Maria |date=2024-08-05 |title=Women’s Olympic Rugby Team and Women Athletes Score Big Gifts |url=https://www.philanthropy.com/article/womens-olympic-rugby-team-and-women-athletes-score-big-gifts |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=The Chronicle of Philanthropy |language=en}} Her ambitions had been to become an opera singer or a professional basketball player or a teacher. Encouraged by her father to study business administration, she entered Sogang University in Seoul in 1980. The only female student, she topped the class in the first year, but realized that she could have better opportunities in US.

Korean women had little opportunity for high-profile careers. As she related the time of her growing up, women were expected to get proper education but not for profession; even if one was highly educated, they were expected to get married and care for their families. In her own words:

Even if you graduate with the highest score, you would probably be an assistant to the chairman. Then, when you get married, you will be voluntarily or involuntarily asked to leave.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Jane |date=2024-08-12 |title=Michele Kang: the first tycoon of women's football |url=https://moneyweek.com/economy/people/michele-kang-pledges-50-million-to-boost-womens-sport#:~:text=%E2%80%9CEven%20if%20you%20graduate%20with,her%20to%20realise%20her%20potential. |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Money Week |language=en}}

In Korean culture, it is the duty of the parents to save up for their children's marriages, and on average amounts to more than half of their total life savings.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2016-05-12 |title=Korean parents spend W130m to pay for child’s wedding |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/958341 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Su Hyun |date=2005-05-06 |title=Tradition of dowries changes |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/06/world/asia/tradition-of-dowries-changes.html |access-date=2025-03-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Kang asked her parents to loan her their savings for her future marriage, with a commitment that when her loan is exhausted, probably by the first year, she would self-support. Being American educated himself, her father approved the intention. There was another impetus – starting from 18 May 1980, there was a mass protest and demonstration for demanding democracy initiated by college students in Seoul, the event that became the Gwangju Uprising or Five One Eight Democratization Movement.{{Cite journal |last=Kim |first=Hang |date=2011-12-01 |title=The commemoration of the Gwangju Uprising: of the remnants in the nation states' historical memory |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14649373.2011.603923 |journal=Inter-Asia Cultural Studies |volume=12 |issue=4 |pages=611–621 |doi=10.1080/14649373.2011.603923 |issn=1464-9373}} Under martial law, the military reacted violently resulting in hundreds of students killed.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Max |date=2023-04-24 |title=For 40 years he blamed himself for a girl’s murder. Then came a shocking discovery |url=https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2023-04-24/south-korea-former-soldier-believed-accomplice-murder |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Sang-Hun |first=Choe |date=2024-06-21 |title=His Photos Exposed a Bloody Crackdown, but His Identity Was a Secret |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/21/world/asia/south-korea-photos-gwangju-crackdown.html |access-date=2025-03-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Kang's parents feared for their daughter's live and progress in education, and allowing her to move abroad was the best option for safety and education.

In 1981, with her wedding-savings loan, she moved to Chicago enrolling in economics major at the University of Chicago. After obtaining the bachelor's degree, she continued with the master's degree in public and private management (MPPM) at Yale University School of Organization and Management (which later became the Yale School of Management and the degree, Master of Business Administration, or MBA{{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |title=Yale School of Management |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/yale-school-management |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Times Higher Education (THE) |language=en}}).{{cite press release |title=Coming Home: Scenes from Reunion Weekend |date=February 6, 2020 |publisher=Yale School of Management |url=https://som.yale.edu/news/2020/02/coming-home-scenes-from-reunion-weekend |access-date=April 12, 2023}}

{{blockquote

|text=The problem was that I have never been very good at accepting what I "should" or "should not" do, especially when it came to what a woman can or cannot do. With my father's reinforcement, I believed I could do anything a boy could do. I wanted something different from the future than what was expected of me.

|author=Michele Kang{{cite web |last1=Kang |first1=Y. Michele |title=Think Differently, Defy Expectations Y. Michele Kang |url=https://www.pba.edu/_resources/images/pdf/afe_kang_speech_01_web.pdf |publisher=Palm Beach Atlantic University |access-date=May 16, 2023 |date=November 14, 2019}}}}

Business career

= Beginning =

Kang initially worked as a management consultant for diverse companies related to information technology.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-02-02 |title=Y. Michele Kang, Owner of the Washington Spirit, Founder and CEO of Cognosante, to Receive 2023 Horatio Alger Award |url=https://horatioalger.org/news-events/news/y-michele-kang-owner-of-the-washington-spirit-founder-and-ceo-of-cognosante-to-receive-2023-horatio-alger-award/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Horatio Alger |language=en-US}} She then became a partner with Ernst & Young specializing in the high-tech and telecommunications industries.

= Northrop Grumman =

Kang joined Northrop Grumman, the American aerospace and defense technology company, in 2000 as a senior executive. In 2003, she became vice president of their Health & Science Solutions unit.{{cite web |title=Northrop Grumman Names Michele Kang Vice President, Health & Science Solutions |url=https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/photo-release-northrop-grumman-names-michele-kang-vice-president-health-science-solutions |publisher=Northup Grumman |access-date=16 May 2023}} During her four-year leadership, the company was estimated to grow four-fold.

= Rexahn Pharmaceuticals =

Following the resignation of two directors in 2006, Kang along with Charles Beever and Kwang Soo Cheong were elected to the board of directors at Rexahn Pharmaceuticals, headquartered at Rockville, Maryland.{{Cite web |date=8 June 2006 |title=Rexahn names Charles Beever, Kwang Soo Cheong and Y. Michelle Kang to board of directors |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A211615616/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=15ccc47f |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Health & Medicine Week |language=en |via=Gale}}{{Cite web |date=19 June 2007 |title=Recent developments reported by Rexahn Pharmaceuticals |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A365516060/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=01a3a811 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Science Letter |language=en |via=Gale}} Since her joining, the company has developed several drug candidates and drug delivery systems for cancer treatment which are under clinical trials.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=G. E. N. |date=2009-12-14 |title=Rexahn to Use TheraTarget Nanodelivery Technology with Its Anticancer Agents |url=https://www.genengnews.com/topics/drug-discovery/rexahn-to-use-theratarget-nanodelivery-technology-with-its-anticancer-agents/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=GEN - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Ranjith |date=2014-09-25 |title=Rexahn’s RX-3117 obtains FDA orphan drug designation |url=https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/news/newsrexahns-rx-3117-obtains-fda-orphan-drug-designation-4386405/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=Pharmaceutical Technology |language=en-US}}

= Cognosante =

In 2008, Kang resigned from Northrop Grumman, to start her own company which she named literally in "the empty room above her garage". Her aim for the company was "to disrupt and challenge the status quo in the U.S. healthcare system".{{cite web |title=Board of Directors |url=https://www.nvtc.org/NVTC/About/Board_Bios/MicheleKang.aspx |publisher=Northern Virginia Technology Council |access-date=16 May 2023}} The corporation works with federal and state health agencies to "expand access to care, improve care delivery, address social determinants of health, and ensure safety and security through multi-faceted technology and customer experience (CX) solutions."{{cite web |title=About Cognosante |url=https://cognosante.com/our-company |publisher=Cognosante |access-date=16 May 2023}} Kang has said that she is focused on developing a pipeline of opportunities that "will directly improve the lives of veterans, military spouses, persons with disabilities, seniors and residents in underserved communities."{{cite web |title=Chief Officer Award Finalist Michele Kang: 'Dream Big, Expect Obstacles And Succeed Anyway' |url=https://washingtonexec.com/2021/05/chief-officer-award-finalist-michele-kang-dream-big-expect-obstacles-and-succeed-anyway/ |publisher=Washington Exec |access-date=16 May 2023 |date=May 14, 2021}}

On April 15, 2024, Cognosante announced that it signed an agreement to be acquired by Accenture Federal Services for undisclosed financial terms. The transaction was completed in May 2024.{{Cite news |title=Accenture Federal closes Cognosante deal |url=https://www.washingtontechnology.com/companies/2024/05/accenture-federal-closes-cognosante-deal/396710/ |date=2024-05-20 |access-date=2024-11-19 |work=Washington Technology |first1=Nick |last1=Wakeman}}

= Kynisca Sports International =

File:First Lady Jill Biden listens as Michele Kang, founder and CEO of Cognosante, speaks at a women’s health event, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Paris, France.jpg.]]

On July 27, 2024, Kang announced the launch of Kynisca Sports International, Ltd., a London-based company that would serve as the umbrella group for her multi-team sports ownership and sports science efforts. The company was named after Cynisca of Sparta, the first woman to win an event in the ancient Olympic Games. The announcement claimed that the organization was the first international group dedicated to women's association football.{{Cite press release |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2024/07/27/michele-kang-announces-launch-of-kynisca-sports-international-ltd/ |title=Michele Kang Announces Launch of Kynisca Sports International, LTD |date=July 27, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |publisher=Washington Spirit}}{{Cite web |last=Axon |first=Rachel |date=2025-03-21 |title=Michele Kang investing in growth of women's sports |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/07/28/michele-kang-kynisca-sports-pledge/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}} The launch was made in Paris during the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web |last=Gutierrez |first=Jackie |date=2024-11-01 |title=Michele Kang And Others Back $2 Million Investment With IDA Sports |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackiegutierrez/2024/11/01/michele-kang-and-others-back-2-million-investment-with-ida-sports/ |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Kang also announced the launch of $50 million in seed and matching funding for the Kynisca Innovation Hub, a non-profit research initiative specialized in female sports training.

In October 2024, Kang's Kynisca hired former FC Barcelona Femení sporting director and Royal Spanish Football Federation women's football head Markel Zubizarreta to be Kynisca's global sporting director, overseeing all of its component clubs.{{Cite press release |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/markel-zubizarreta-joins-kynisca-global-120000523.html |title=Markel Zubizarreta Joins Kynisca as Global Sporting Director |date=October 9, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=Yahoo! Finance |agency=Business Wire |publisher=Kynisca Sports International}}

On October 31, 2024, Kynisca led a $2 million seed funding round for IDA Sports, a company producing cleats and turf shoes for female athletes.{{Cite news |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/10/31/michele-kang-kynisca-footwear-investment |title=Michele Kang’s Kynisca invests in women’s footwear brand |date=October 31, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=Sports Business Journal |first1=Alex |last1=Silverman}}

= Other investments =

In June 2022, Kang was announced as an investor in Just Women's Sports, an American media company dedicated to women's sports.{{Cite news |last1=Tan |first1=Gillian |date=June 9, 2022 |title=Billionaire Joe Tsai, Billie Jean King Back Just Women's Sports |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-09/billionaire-joe-tsai-billie-jean-king-back-just-women-s-sports |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=Bloomberg News |language=en}}

Kang is part of the ownership group that bought the Baltimore Orioles in January 2024.{{Cite web |last=Cahill |first=Calder |date=2024-07-30 |title=USA Rugby announces transformative gift from Kynisca's Michele Kang |url=https://usa.rugby/news/usa-rugby-announces-transformative-gift-from-kyniscas-michele-kang-2024730 |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=usa.rugby |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Andrejev |first=Alex |title=Michele Kang to donate $4 million to U.S. women's rugby |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5669739/2024/07/30/us-womens-rugby-michele-kang/ |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

Sports ownership

= Washington Spirit =

== Background ==

Kang had only little knowledge on football. She had played football and volleyball in her college days, but tennis became her favorite sports. She did not know about football clubs, the business, or the players, as she remarked: "I didn't even know who [Lionel] Messi was." In 2019, the United States women's national soccer team won the FIFA Women's World Cup.{{Cite news |date=2019-07-08 |title=Women's World Cup 2019: What we learned from the historic tournament |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-48913037 |access-date=2025-03-29 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}} Kang was attended the formal celebration in the Capitol Hill. It was only then and there that she came to learn the nature of women's football and the existence of football club, the Washington Spirit.{{Cite web |last=Bachman |first=Rachel |date=2024-11-23 |title=The Free-Spending Owner Building a Women’s Soccer Empire |url=https://www.wsj.com/sports/soccer/michele-kang-washington-spirit-owner-nwsl-b83c9545 |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}} She was invited there by Tom Daschle, her associate investor at Cognosante,{{Cite web |last=Cognosante |date=2014-10-16 |title=Senator Daschle joins the Cognosante Board of Directors |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/10/16/673842/26050/en/Senator-Daschle-joins-the-Cognosante-Board-of-Directors.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=GlobeNewswire News Room |language=en}} at the time a former Democrat leader. Daschle introduced her to Steve Baldwin, the managing owner of the Washington Spirit. Baldwin immediately won her over to join the club. Kang recalled the occasion, saying, "When I met the team after the World Cup, I knew I wanted to help lead this club. I believe it is essential for successful women to take the lead in advancing other women, and I look forward to doing so for the women of the Washington Spirit."{{Cite web |last=Spirit |first=Washington |date=2020-12-29 |title=Y. Michele Kang Joins Washington Spirit Ownership Group |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/blog/2020/12/29/y-michele-kang-joins-washington-spirit-ownership-group/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Washington Spirit |language=en-US}}

== Acquisition ==

On December 29, 2020, Washington Spirit announced that Kang had joined the club's ownership group.{{cite news |url=https://www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2020/12/29/22205105/washington-spirit-ownership-y-michele-kang-nwsl-2020 |title=Y. Michele Kang joins Washington Spirit ownership group |date=December 29, 2020 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=Black and Red United |first=Jason |last=Anderson}} Later reports confirmed that the stake was 35 percent, equal to former majority owner Steve Baldwin's stake though Baldwin retained control over the team. Following Spirit coach Richie Burke removing himself from coaching duties in August 2021 and subsequent media reports alleging abusive behavior by Burke toward players, Kang began pursuing majority and controlling ownership of the club.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/03/30/michele-kang-spirit-sale/ |title=Sale of NWSL's Spirit closes, making history for owner Michele Kang |date=March 30, 2022 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |first=Molly |last=Hensley-Clancy}}{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/3511390/2022/02/08/washington-spirit-ownership-steve-baldwin-bill-lynch-agree-to-sell-team-to-michele-kang/ |title=Washington Spirit ownership: Steve Baldwin, Bill Lynch agree to sell team to Michele Kang |date=February 8, 2022 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=The Athletic |first1=Pablo |last1=Maurer |first2=Meg |last2=Linehan |first3=Steph |last3=Yang}}

After a protracted negotiation process,{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Caitlin |title=NWSL's Washington Spirit power struggle ends as Y. Michele Kang takes over |date=February 8, 2022 |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/washington-spirit/story/4589359/nwsls-washington-spirit-power-struggle-ends-as-y-michele-kang-takes-over |publisher=ESPN |access-date=16 May 2023}}{{cite web |title=After months of friction, Michele Kang becomes controlling owner of Washington Spirit |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230516232339/https://www.npr.org/local/305/2022/02/09/1079521602/after-months-of-friction-michele-kang-becomes-controlling-owner-of-washington-spirit |publisher=NPR |access-date=16 May 2023}} Baldwin and minority owner Bill Lynch agreed to sell the club to Kang. Following league approvals, Kang officially became majority owner on March 30, 2022.{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/3500941/2022/03/30/michele-kang-officially-becomes-majority-owner-of-nwsls-washington-spirit/ |title=Michele Kang officially majority owner of Spirit |date=March 30, 2022 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=The Athletic |first=Pablo |last=Maurer}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/03/30/michele-kang-spirit-sale/ |title=Spirit's Michele Kang becomes first woman of color to own NWSL team |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 30, 2022 |accessdate=June 11, 2022}} Kang became the first woman of color to be the majority owner of an NWSL club.

During the negotiations, the Spirit won the 2021 NWSL championship on November 20, 2021, defeating the Chicago Red Stars 2–1.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/report?gameId=621801 |title=Washington Spirit wins NWSL Championship over Chicago Red Stars in extra-time thriller |date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}}

On May 24, 2023, Kang's acquisition of the Spirit was named the Sports Business Journal 2023 deal of the year.{{cite news |date=May 25, 2023 |title=American Businesswoman's $35 Million Investment in Trinity Rodman's Washington Spirit Trumps Phoenix Suns' $4 Billion Takeover to Win Major North American Award |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/soccer-football-nba-news-american-businesswomans-thirty-five-million-investment-in-trinity-rodman-washington-spirit-trumps-phoenix-suns-4-billion-takeover-to-win-major-north-american-award/ |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=EssentiallySports |first=Abishek |last=Mishra}}

= Olympique Lyonnais =

Kang is an OL Groupe board director and a director in Eagle Football Holdings, the investment vehicle of OL Groupe chairman John Textor. On May 13, Olympique Lyonnais Féminin won the Coupe de France féminine 2–1 over Paris Saint-Germain, its 10th victory in the competition, on a brace by Ada Hegerberg.{{cite news |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/coupe-de-france/direct-ol-psg-suivez-la-finale-de-la-coupe-de-france-feminine-en-live-0cac2612-f0c5-11ed-a712-6e3ad690fa08 |title=Coupe de France féminine. Lyon prend le dessus sur le PSG et remporte sa 10e Coupe de France |work=Ouest-France |first=Victor |last=Boutonnat |date=May 13, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023}} Kang attended the match and raised the trophy with Lyon.{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/4517104/2023/05/13/michele-kang-lyon-women-ownership/ |title=Spirit owner Michele Kang attends Lyon women's match, hoists trophy with team amid takeover reports |date=May 13, 2023 |work=The Athletic}}

On May 16, OL Groupe and Kang announced the formation of a separate entity that would be composed of her stake in the Spirit and OL Groupe's Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. OL Groupe would retain a 48% stake in the resulting new entity, and Kang would become the club's majority owner and CEO.{{cite press release |url=https://washingtonspirit.com/2023/05/16/ol-groupe-and-michele-kang-form-global-multi-team-womens-football-group/ |title=OL Groupe and Michele Kang Form Global Multi-Team Women's Football Group |date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=Washington Spirit}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sportico.com/business/team-sales/2023/michele-kang-lyonnais-feminin-washington-spirit-nwsl-1234722931/ |title=Spirit's Michele Kang adds Lyonnais Feminin to Women's Soccer Venture |date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |work=Sportico |first=Emily |last=Caron}}{{cite news |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90897178/michele-kang-washington-spirit-lyon-womens-soccer-empire |title=Spirit owner Michele Kang buys Lyon to build first international women's soccer empire |date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |work=Fast Company |first=AJ |last=Hess}}{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Michele-kang-nouvelle-actionnaire-majoritaire-de-l-ol-feminin-il-n-est-pas-question-de-changer-l-ol/1396963 |title=Michele Kang, nouvelle actionnaire majoritaire de l'OL féminin : " Il n'est pas question de changer l'OL " |trans-title=Michele Kang, new majority shareholder of OL Women: “There is no question of changing OL” |date=May 16, 2023 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |work=L'Équipe |first=Hugo |last=Guillement |language=fr}}{{cite news |last1=Brockway |first1=Ella |title=Spirit owner Michele Kang to take over Lyon, creating network of women's clubs |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/05/16/michele-kang-lyon-spirit/ |access-date=16 May 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=May 16, 2023}} The transaction was approved by regulators in February 2024.

= London City Lionesses =

On December 15, 2023, London City Lionesses announced that Kang had acquired the independent women's football club.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/39119912/washington-spirit-owner-kang-buys-london-city-lionesses |title=Washington Spirit owner Kang buys London City Lionesses |date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=December 15, 2023 |work=ESPN |agency=ESPN News Services}} Following the purchase, the Lionesses hired Jocelyn Prêcheur as its coach, moved the club to Hayes Lane in Bromley, and announced plans for a dedicated training center in Aylesford of Kent.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cn9dz0ddp0wo |title=London City aim to reach WSL 'as fast as possible' |date=October 9, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=BBC Sport}} The club's opening match of the 2024–25 Women's Championship, a 1–1 draw against Newcastle United W.F.C., drew a club-record 1,781 attendance.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/sep/08/womens-championship-london-city-lionesses-newcastle-united-wsl |title=London City Lionesses and Newcastle embark on 'beautiful' journey |date=September 8, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=The Guardian |first1=Tom |last1=Garry}}

Philanthropy

As a philanthropist, Kang created the Cognosante Foundation and is an active supporter of The Kennedy Center,{{cite web |title=REACH Supporters |url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/reach/supporters/ |access-date=April 12, 2023 |publisher=The Kennedy Center}} which also was a front-of-jersey sponsor of the Washington Spirit in 2022.{{cite news |date=April 29, 2022 |title=Kennedy Center to sponsor NWSL Spirit jersey |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2022/04/29/Spirit-jersey.aspx |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=Sports Business Journal}} She has served on the boards of the American Red Cross, Washington National Opera, Northern Virginia Technology Council, and Palm Beach Symphony.{{cite web |title=Y. Michele Kang |url=https://www.redcross.org/about-us/who-we-are/leadership/board-of-governors/y-michele-kang.html |access-date=April 12, 2023 |publisher=American Red Cross}} She has served as co-chair of the American Enterprise Institute National Council.

In September 2022, Kang donated $100,000 for a military reunion of veterans who fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.{{Cite news |last=Jeong |first=Andrew |date=2022-09-11 |title=Korean War vets gather in Arlington for first time since pandemic |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/09/11/korean-war-reunion-veteran-chosin/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |work=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} The battle in 1950 was between China and Korea, with the latter supported by the UN forces largely led by the US Army. She had been a long-time supporter of the National Museum of the Marine Corps and US veterans in the battle called the Chosin Few. She had joined forces with other organizations in helping women veterans for their livelihoods.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-02-02 |title=Michele Y. Kang, Owner of the Washington Spirit, Founder and CEO of Cognosante, to Receive 2023 Horatio Alger Award |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/michele-y-kang-owner-of-the-washington-spirit-founder-and-ceo-of-cognosante-to-receive-2023-horatio-alger-award-301737496.html |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}} Her donation was for funding travel expenses of the Chosin Few. She was also present at their meeting at the Arlington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Kang had never seen a rugby match until the 2024 Summer Olympics.{{Cite web |last=Axon |first=Rachel |date=2025-04-17 |title=Michele Kang's $4 million gift to USA Rugby women kicks off race for LA28 gold |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/07/31/usa-rugby-funding-folo/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=Sports Business Journal |language=en}} On July 30, 2024, she attended the women rugby match between US and Australia in Paris in which US won the match and took bronze medal. It was the first time the US team won any medal in Olympic rugby.{{Cite web |last=Dragon |first=Tyler |date=2024-08-01 |orig-date=2025-07-30 |title=US women beat Australia, win bronze, first Olympics medal in rugby sevens |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/07/30/us-rugby-sevens-women-bronze-australia/74605056007/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}} Impressed by what she witnessed, Kang on the spot announced a donation to the USA Women's Rugby Sevens team of $4 million over four years.{{Cite web |last=Cahill |first=Calder |date=2024-07-30 |title=USA Rugby announces transformative gift from Kynisca's Michele Kang |url=https://usa.rugby/news/usa-rugby-announces-transformative-gift-from-kyniscas-michele-kang-2024730 |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=usa.rugby |language=en}} She later remarked: "Yes, that was an expensive game for me."

On November 19, 2024, Kang announced a $30 million donation over five years to the United States Soccer Federation to be used specifically on funding training and talent identification camps for the federation's junior national teams, and developmental programs for female coaches and referees.{{Cite news |date=2024-11-09 |title=U.S. Soccer gets $30 million from Michele Kang |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2024/11/19/uswnt-michele-kang-gift-girls-programs/ |access-date=2025-03-08 |work=The Washington Post}} The donation was the largest ever made to the federation's women's programs.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/washington-spirit-owner-michele-kang-makes-30-million-investment-in-u-s-soccer-womens-and-girls-programs/ |title= Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang makes $30 million investment in U.S. Soccer women's and girls' programs |date=November 19, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |work=CBS Sports |first1=Pardeep |last1=Cattry}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Dier |first=Arden |date=2024-11-21 |title=Owner of Women's Soccer Team Makes History, Again |url=https://www.newser.com/story/359888/us-womens-soccer-gets-an-8-figure-boost.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Newser}}

Kang was listed at number 28 among The Chronicle of Philanthropy's "Philanthropy 50" of 2024 for her donations totalling $84 millions.{{Cite web |last=Di Mento |first=Maria |last2=Rendon |first2=Jim |date=2025-03-05 |title=Michael Bloomberg tops the list of America's biggest donors for second year in a row |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/michael-bloomberg-tops-list-americas-biggest-donors-year-119432335 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=ABC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Di Mento |first=Maria |date=2025-03-04 |title=America’s Biggest Donors — the 25th Anniversary of Our Annual Philanthropy 50 |url=https://www.philanthropy.com/article/the-philanthropy-50/#id=browse_2024 |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=The Chronicle of Philanthropy |language=en}}

Honors and awards

2012, Kang was awarded among 100 Women Leaders in STEM.{{cite web |title=100 Women Leaders in STEM |url=https://education.ti.com/images/in-the-news/pdf/100-Women-Leaders-in-STEM.pdf |access-date=16 May 2023 |publisher=STEMConnector}}
2015, she received the EY Entrepreneur of The Year.{{cite web |date=June 19, 2015 |title=EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award winners announced |url=https://www.virginiabusiness.com/article/ey-entrepreneur-of-the-year-award-winners-announced/ |access-date=16 May 2023 |publisher=Virginia Business}}
2016, she was among the Top 100 CEO Leaders in STEM.
2018-2021, she was elected to the board of governors of the American Red Cross.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2018-07-20 |title=American Red Cross Elects Y. Michele Kang as New Member to National Board of Governors |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-red-cross-elects-y-michele-kang-as-new-member-to-national-board-of-governors-300684148.html |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}
2019, she received the American Free Enterprise Medal by Palm Beach Atlantic University.{{cite web |date=October 15, 2019 |title=University to Honor Health IT Entrepreneur on American Free Enterprise Day |url=https://www.pba.edu/news/news-2019/afe-michele-kang.html |access-date=16 May 2023 |publisher=Palm Beach Atlantic University}}
2022, she was awarded the Washington Business's lifetime achievement award and inducted to the Washington Business Hall of Fame.{{cite web |date=7 November 2022 |title=EARN ABOUT THE 2022 LAUREATES: MICHELE KANG, THE WASHINGTON SPIRIT AND COGNOSANTE |url=https://www.myja.org/news/latest/learn-about-the-2022-laureates-michele-kang |access-date=16 May 2023 |publisher=Junior Achievement of Greater Washington}}{{cite interview |title=Michele Kang's idea to change Greater Washington's workforce for the better |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2022/11/01/michele-kangs-idea-to-change-washington-workforce.html |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=Washington Business Journal |date=November 1, 2022}}
2023, she received the Horatio Alger Award.
2023, her business was named the Sports Business Journal's "Deal of the Year".
2023, she was included in "The Power List 2023: The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports" by Sports Illustrated.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-13 |title=The Power List 2023: The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports |url=https://www.si.com/sports-illustrated/2023/07/13/the-power-list-50-most-influential-figures-in-sports |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=SI |language=en-US}}
2024, she was named Virginia Business's Living Legends 2024.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-08-30 |title=Living Legends 2024: Y. MICHELE KANG |url=https://virginiabusiness.com/y-michele-kang/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=Virginia Business |language=en-US}}
2025, she was listed among "Ten Influencers 2025" in sports by SportsPro.{{Cite web |last=SportsPro |date=2025-01-03 |title=Ten Influencers 2025: Why these figures will define the sports industry year ahead |url=https://www.sportspro.com/broadcast-ott/media-rights/ten-influencers-2025-michele-kang-bob-iger-caitlin-clark-nike-netflix-saudi-arabia/ |access-date=2025-03-13 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}

Personal life

While working as vice president of the Northrop Grumman, she developed breast cancer, which troubled much of her career. Medical care helped her to remain cancer free, following which she started her own company, Cognosante.{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Notes: Alger Award |url=https://mag.uchicago.edu/university-news/notes-47 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=The University of Chicago Magazine |language=en}}

Kang's $15 million sale in 2022 of her condominium in Palm Beach, Florida was the third largest in Palm Beach history for an oceanfront apartment.{{cite news |url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/business/real-estate/2022/06/17/15-m-sale-third-priciest-seaside-condo-palm-beach-mls-real-estate-homes-for-sale/7645755001/ |title=UPDATE: $15M sale in Kirkland House is third-priciest beachfront condo sold in Palm Beach |date=June 17, 2022 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |work=Palm Beach Daily News |first=Darrell |last=Hofheinz}}