After taking control of the Women's OL that she renamed Ol Lyonnes, the American Michele Kang was appointed this Monday president of Olympique Lyonnais. A new stage in the brilliant career of this 66 -year -old feminist, ambitious, revolutionary and passionate sporting woman.
Michele Kang in full light. If the supporters of the OL female team have gotten to know this American business woman since she became the owner of Women's OL, renamed Ol Lyonnes, Michele Kang, 66, takes up height. And above all important responsibilities.
Appointed President of Olympique Lyonnais this Monday after the resignation of John Textor, her first mission is to save the club at the seven French champion titles in Ligue 2. “Michele is the ideal choice to direct OL in the next phase and I have fully confidence in itself and OL, which will be stronger under its direction,” said the American businessman.
Brilliant studies in the United States
Michele Kang was born in South Korea. His parents, both teachers, transmitted to him a taste for work. After joining the United States for her studies, she joined a business school. She is the only woman admitted but she is the one who finished first in her promotion. Brilliant, she won her diplomas in a University of Chicago while working to finance her studies. After being a consultant, she makes a fortune in health technologies thanks to her very first company, Cognosis.
Passionate about sport, the one who admits to having played soccer only at school “like everyone else” has the click in 2019 when the United States women's team, led by Megan Rapinoe, is crowned world champion in France. “I realized that there needed more means.” Michele Kang launched three years later. In 2022, she took control of the Washington Spirit women's team in the US championship.
A donation of $ 4 million for American women's rugby
Sport and business go hand in hand. It points to 11th rank of the richest women in the world in sport according to Forbes. His fortune is estimated at $ 1.2 billion. Thanks to its profits, this philanthropist contributes to developing female sport. A year ago, she donated $ 4 million to the American Rugby Federation. “We are amazed and more than grateful to this Michele transformer donation to advance female rugby to the United States,” said Bill Goren, Managing Director of USA Rugby.
Eager to also defend equality with men, she creates Kynisca Sports International, a global multi-team organization for girls. Through her, Michele Kang intends to revolutionize training methods through education and innovation, in order to release female athletic potential. The London City Lionesses in England and especially Women's OL join the group. Michele Kang first joined OL via the Board of Directors in 2023 and became the third shareholder before fully controlling OL Female in February 2024.
Aulas: “Ideas that are beyond the progressive ideas I have had”
In Lyon, Michele Kang remains discreet. She hates to show herself or take her picture. But it makes the lines move by breaking the codes. And seduce. “She arrives with ideas that are beyond the progressive ideas I have had, at the beginning of the year Jean-Michel Aulas at RMC Sport. I wanted there to be a parity. She clearly wants women football to be upstream of male football.” The former Lyon boss thus integrated the American into working groups on the future of female football at the FFF.
Name and logo changes that are not unanimous
“Michele Kang arrives with a more American vision where women's football can be declined alone, without necessarily being affiliated with male football, also notes Aulas. This poses a certain number of problems on the Sport law, but the ministry has given the authorization to evolve with a female club which is a little independent, even if it is not completely stopped on legal modalities. investors. “
In Lyon, Michele Kang is also talking about her by making many symbolic changes: a new name, Ol Lyonnes and a new logo with a lioness. “An American delirium”, criticize certain supporters of the French champions who fear seeing their club turn into a franchise.
All matches at Groupama Stadium … while waiting for a new stadium
Also from the principle that “women are not small men”, Michele Kang develops research specially for women in Lyon and Washington. Objective, that “the players perform at best.” The staff expands. 26 people are challenged at Fenottes. Michele Kang also built a new cutting -edge training center in Meyzieu.
She wants a new stadium of 20,000 or 25,000 places and dreams of a campus bringing together all the female sections. Pending the Lyonnaises will play all their matches at the Groupama Stadium, which was not the case so far, the decinses being only reserved for the big games.
She didn't know who was Messi
Despite the excellent sporting results and an 18th title of French champion conquered this season by the partners of Wendie Renard, do not ask her a sharp expertise on football. “When I bought the team, I was criticized because I did not even know who was Leo Messi,” she said a year ago before clarifying that she was leaning on Vincent Ponsot, her general manager.
Many things have changed since. By taking the reins of an OL by the precipice on Monday, Michèle Kang is launching a new one in a new career. Not the least risky but not the least exciting either.
