Korean Businessman Donates KRW 41.8 Billion to U.S. Women's Soccer..."The highest amount ever".

X of the American Football Association

Michelle Kang (65), a Korean American businesswoman who runs prestigious women's soccer teams in the U.S. and Europe, donated a large amount of 30 million dollars and about 41.8 billion won in our money, asking for the development of women's soccer in the U.S.

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."

It is the largest ever donation to the American Football Association's women's and girls' programs and the highest ever given by a woman to the American Football Association.

Cyndi Faulcon, president of the American Football Association, said, "The gift of the Michelle lecture will transform women's and girls' soccer in the United States. It will affect generations of women and young girls in our soccer community, including players, coaches, and referees," he said, expressing his gratitude.

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.

Yonhap News Agency

"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."

Chairman Kang is the daughter of former lawmaker Lee Yoon-ja, who contributed to the promotion of women's rights and interests as the 11th and 13th members of the National Assembly. After attending Sogang University and studying in the U.S. in 1981, he served as vice chairman and general manager of the roval defense company Northrop Grumman Infotech, and founded Cognosant, a public-sector healthcare consulting firm, in Paulschurch, Virginia, in 2008.

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, he secured a majority stake in the prestigious Olympique Lyon Feminine, who 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."

Reporter Lee Yu Na from Digital News Team.