US Soccer has received a $30 million (£23.6 million) pledge from businesswoman Michele Kang, a donation the organization says will “transform” women’s and girls’ football in the United States.
The commitment made by American Kang, the owner of the Washington Spirit (NWSL), Lyon Feminin (French top-flight), and the London City Lionesses (Women’s Championship), surpasses any previous donation by a woman to US Soccer.
In a statement,, external US Soccer said Kang’s investment over the next five years “will scale competitive opportunities for youth players, expand and improve talent identification, and fuel professional development for female players, coaches, and referees”.
“Women’s sports have been undervalued and overlooked for far too long,” said Kang.
US Soccer plans to double the number of national team camps and focus on funding camps for women and girls.
Kang stated her goal is to elevate the level of excellence in women’s soccer by equipping female athletes with the resources they need to maximize their potential.
“I hope this investment serves as ‘seed capital’ and spurs other donors to follow suit,” said 65-year-old Kang.
Emma Hayes, head coach of the United States, declared the donation will have a significant, positive impact on the sport.
The ex-Chelsea manager stated, “This is a crucial time for soccer in the US, and this will help us support more women in the sport, including players, coaches, and referees.”
Kang’s funding is bolstering an already powerful setup.
The United States has been a dominant presence in women’s football since the early 1990s, and it is the most successful team in modern history.
With four Women’s World Cup titles and five Olympic gold medals, their most recent victory came at the Paris Games this summer.
From March 2008 to November 2014, the US was consistently ranked first in the world, setting a record for the longest consecutive stay at the top by any national team.