Washington, D.C. (05/25/2023) Sports Small business Journal (SBJ) announced that Michele Kang has won “Deal of the Year” as a component of its 16th Annual Sports Small business Awards for her 2022 acquisition of the Washington Spirit. 

Kang, who was chosen by SBJ as a 2022 Energy Player in Women’s Sports, was a single of 5 nominees that integrated the Walton-Penner group’s acquisition of the Denver Broncos, Main League Soccer and Apple’s ten-year media rights agreement, the Major Ten Conference’s seven-year media rights agreement with FOX, CBS and NBC amongst other individuals. She was the only lady represented.  

“As a female entrepreneur who has some sources, I felt this was my duty. But extra importantly, I see this as a company with outstanding industrial viability,” mentioned Kang in her acceptance speech. “We’re not charity.” 

Upon getting the Washington Spirit for a record-setting $35 million on March 30, 2022, Kang became the very first individual of colour to hold a majority stake in an NWSL club. Per SBJ, “The $35 million acquisition, the most pricey in league history at the time, reset the industry for NWSL franchises, straight major to the league extracting a record $58 million expansion charge from the owners of the not too long ago announced expansion group in the Bay Region.” 

Her SBJ “Deal of the Year” victory also came on the heels of her acquisition of eight-time Champions League-winning French club Olympique Lyonnais (OL). OL competes in Division 1 Féminine, the highest level of women’s experienced soccer in France. 

This move will bring collectively the Spirit and Lyon in a international network of women’s soccer clubs. It will turn into the very first lady-owned and -led organization of its sort, cementing Kang’s new mission of rewriting the narrative of what is attainable in women’s experienced soccer. 

Her commitment to establishing the Washington Spirit as a perennial powerhouse and globe-caliber experienced sporting organization has been evident ever considering the fact that she acquired the club.  

Paramount to Kang’s mission had been each hiring a fleet of incredibly certified experts in many roles across the organization and establishing an exclusive, state-of-the-art stadium positioned in Washington, D.C.  

Not even a year into her tenure as owner, Kang effectively executed each of these objectives as the club struck a multi-year deal to get in touch with Audi Field its new residence and hired some of the brightest minds in sport and company – President of Soccer Operations and Basic Manager Mark Krikorian, President of Small business Operations Emma Could, Head Coach Mark Parsons and Vice President of Functionality, Healthcare and Innovation Dawn Scott. 

Amongst the Spirit’s newly established leadership, a single theme is constant: Kang’s commitment to establishing the Spirit as a globe-class organization. 

Aspect of Kang’s deal to obtain the Spirit came with the mandate of offering a globe-class practical experience and experienced solution to fans. There are now extra possibilities at each and every price tag point than the club has ever presented, like cost-effective season plans, pitch-side premium seating and an extended roof at Audi Field for extra coverage from the components.  

To buy tickets for a Washington Spirit game, please click right here.  

About The Washington Spirit   

The Washington Spirit is the experienced women’s soccer group primarily based at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. Launched in 2012, the Spirit plays in the National Women’s Soccer League, the premier women’s soccer competitors in North America. For extra data about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and adhere to the club on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.