Michelle Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit and CEO of Kynisca Sports Innovation Lab, announced a $25 million women’s soccer investment, reinforcing her long-term commitment to advancing the sport. The move follows her record-setting $30 million donation to U.S. Soccer in 2023.
Strategic Merger to Accelerate Innovation
Kang also revealed the official integration of Kynisca Innovation Hub (KIH) and the Soccer Forward Foundation. The strategic merger aims to fast-track research in women’s soccer science and establish global standards for female athlete development.
According to Kang, the partnership combines KIH’s focus on elite women’s training with the Soccer Forward Foundation’s expertise in research and development. The joint effort is expected to drive innovation in training methods, health optimization, and performance standards for women athletes.
First Global Organization for Women’s Soccer Launched
KIH, launched during the 2024 Paris Olympics, is the first global organization dedicated solely to women’s soccer. This initiative emphasizes science-based training and the implementation of evidence-backed best practices to improve female players’ performance and well-being.
In a statement, Kang said, “Women’s soccer continues to grow globally, yet it still faces systemic barriers and a lack of investment. Kinēsis will continue investing in technology and talent to transform how women train.”
Clear Goals: Science and Standards
The partnership supports two main objectives:
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Develop scientific research and solutions to enhance women players’ health and performance.
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Establish and apply unified global standards and best practices in women’s soccer.
Follow-Up to Record $30M Gift to U.S. Soccer
This $25 million contribution builds on Kang’s earlier pledge of $30 million to U.S. Soccer, announced in November 2023. That donation, the largest in the organization’s history, was earmarked for the “The U.S. Way” initiative, supporting infrastructure, leadership training, and development programs for women players over a five-year period.
BY BRIAN CHOI [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
