Michelle Kang (65), a Korean American businesswoman who runs prestigious women’s soccer teams in the U.S. and Europe, offered a big gift of $30 million (about 41.8 billion won) for the development of U.S. women’s soccer.

The American Football Association announced on the 20th (Korea Standard Time) that “President Michelle Kang has pledged to donate $30 million over the next five years for the association’s women and girls programs.”

“This is the largest donation ever to the American Football Association’s women’s and girls program and the highest amount of women’s donations to the American Football Association,” he explained.

The American Football Association will use Kang’s donations to expand competition opportunities for young girls, discover and foster talented players, and promote professional development of female players, coaches, and referees.

Cindy Follow-Con, president of the American Football Association, said, “The gift of Michelle’s lecture will transform American women’s and girls’ soccer. It will affect generations of women and girls in our soccer community, including athletes, coaches, and referees,” adding, “Thanks to Michelle, we can provide more support and opportunities for women and girls.”

“Women’s sports have been underestimated and overlooked for too long,” Chairman Kang said. “I am committed to raising the level of women’s soccer on and off the field by providing the support needed for female athletes to reach their full potential and the professional support they deserve.”

Kang is the daughter of former lawmaker Lee Yoon-ja, who contributed to the promotion of women’s rights as the 11th and 13th lawmakers. She studied at Sogang University in 1981.

Kang worked as vice chairman and general manager of Northrop Grumman Infotech and CEO of 플러스카지노, a global defense industry firm, and founded Cognosant, a public sector healthcare consulting firm, in Paulschurch, Virginia, in 2008.

Recently, she is focusing on the women’s soccer business.

Chairman Kang, who entered the women’s soccer world starting with the acquisition of the Washington Spirit of the U.S. Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in February 2022, became the owner of the London City Lions at the end of last year.

In February this year, it secured a majority stake in the prestigious Olympique Lyon Feminine, which has won eight UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL), and took full control.

In addition, in July this year, it established the world’s first multi-club global organization “Kinisca Sports International,” which focuses on the professionalization of women’s soccer.

The American Football Association introduced Kang as “a pioneering business leader and investor dedicated to developing women’s sports around the world.”