2025 Billie Jean King Leadership Award Recipient

Michele Kang

Photo Credit: Forbes

Championing a Bold New Era for Women’s Sports 

Michele Kang is redefining what is possible in women’s sports, not just in the United States, but around the world. A visionary entrepreneur and investor, Kang is this year’s Billie Jean King Leadership Award honoree for her trailblazing work to elevate and reimagine the women’s sports landscape. With a bold, global vision and a deep commitment to equality, she is building the infrastructure and investment needed to fuel long-term, systemic change. 

Born and raised in South Korea, Kang came to the United States in the 1980s with a determination to pursue higher education and expand her opportunities. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago, followed by a master’s degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Management – an academic foundation that propelled a remarkable career in the technology sector and honed the strategic and operational expertise she would later bring to the world of sports. 

Fast forward to 2020, when she reached a historic milestone by becoming the first woman of color to own a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team – the Washington Spirit. She quickly rebuilt the organization with a player-first approach. Her leadership has ushered in a new era of stability and growth, rooted in values of respect, integrity, and empowerment. 

In 2024, Kang launched the first-ever global multi-club ownership model in women’s soccer where she serves as Founder and CEO. Under her leadership, Kynisca now includes three powerhouse teams across three countries: the Washington Spirit in the U.S., OL Lyonnes in France, and London City Lionesses in the United Kingdom. Her model is not just unprecedented – it is transformational. By connecting clubs across continents, she is strengthening the women’s game commercially, competitively, and culturally. 

Kang’s impact and influence transcend far beyond the pitch. Through Kynisca, she has extended support to other key organizations throughout the women’s sports landscape, including USA Women’s Rugby, U.S. Soccer, and IDA Sports – a footwear brand designed specifically for women athletes. Each investment is intentional and driven by her belief that women athletes deserve the same infrastructure, innovation and visibility afforded to men’s sports. 

What distinguishes Kang’s leadership is her ability to merge business acumen with cultural impact. She is not simply backing women’s sports; she is building a business model to sustain them. By focusing on long-term value rather than short-term gains, she is boldly setting a new standard for what leadership in sport can and should look like. 

In the past year alone, Kang’s work has garnered widespread acclaim. She was recently appointed President of the Olympique Lyonnais men’s team, named ESPN’s Sports Philanthropist of the Year, featured on the Forbes Billionaires List and recognized on the TIME 100 Philanthropy List. These accolades reflect not just her personal success, but the cultural and commercial momentum she is driving across the entire industry. 

Michele Kang embodies the spirit of Billie Jean King – courageous, innovative, and unrelenting in the pursuit of equality. We salute her leadership in sparking a new chapter for women’s sports, one rooted in investment, global connectivity, and unstoppable belief in what is possible. 

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