90min

Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang hopes to make club stronger with new merger

By Alex Windley

Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang speaks about the club's merger with Olympique Lyonnais Feminin.
Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang speaks about the club's merger with Olympique Lyonnais Feminin. / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit, will be in charge of a newly formed women's soccer organization, which will oversee her NWSL team and Olympique Lyonnais Feeminin.

After announcing the merger on May 16, Kang expressed her belief that this was an opportunity to bolster both clubs. She also assured Spirit fans that there was no need to worry.

"I want to make sure that they understand, this is not taking anything away from the Spirit," Kang guaranteed.

"This is to make every team even stronger by pulling some of the resources, but local identity, local investment will continue to remain strong."

According to a report by The Athletic, Kang has come to an agreement with the leadership of Olympique Lyonnais to establish a women's soccer organization.

Kang will serve as the CEO and majority owner of the organization. The group aims to expand its reach by establishing several women's clubs globally, similar to the City Football Group.

The decision happens 13 months after Kang obtained majority ownership of the Spirit in March 2022. The newly formed soccer organization will be owned by a woman and will have multiple clubs under its management.

"This is not just about the Spirit. This is not just about OL. This is about bringing women’s soccer to that level so that young girls growing up all around the world can see it and be inspired and say, ‘I’m going to go into professional soccer," Kang said.

Despite fan concerns, Kang plans to keep the identities of each team and their local infrastructure, but the organization will provide centralized support for all of the future and present clubs that will join.

“We will invest in the tools, resources and communities for each team to win their respective championships, season after season, while respecting the history and culture of each club."

The merger between the Washington Spirit and Lyon into the organization has not been finalized, but it is expected to be completed by June 30.

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