“This integration represents a major step forward in advancing research and setting new standards for women’s sports,” remarked Michele Kang, American Businesswoman and Washington Spirit owner after recently making a $25 million investment in US Soccer for the development and research of women’s soccer. Surprisingly, it was just last year when the philanthropist donated a whopping $30 million in the name of promoting the country’s women’s program.
Technically, her recent $25 million investment isn’t a straight financial donation; it’s actually the handing over of her female athlete innovation hub by Kynisca. It is a London-based women’s sports organization that focuses on advancing research and development of the women’s game, founded and led by Kang. With this move, the Kynisca Innovation Hub is now being folded into USSF’s Soccer Forward Foundation.
Yet, this latest gesture brings Kang’s total investment in federation-related efforts to $55 million, as the announcement was made alongside U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson at the SheBelieves Summit in Los Angeles on Friday. Beyond the excitement, Kang’s commitment also reflects a growing trend among high-profile investors betting big on the growth potential of the women’s game in the U.S.
That being said, let’s take a look at other prominent names—like Alexis Ohanian and David Beckham—who are also fueling the rise of women’s soccer in America.
Alexis Ohanian and Bob Igor pioneering Angel City
Now that we have begun the discussion with the women’s game, it’s only natural to address perhaps one of America’s women’s domestic league’s successful teams. Angel City FC surely needs no introduction and so do its stakeholders. Co-founded by actor Natalie Portman, venture capitalist Julie Uhrman, and entrepreneur Kara Nortman in 2020, the club has witnessed significant growth since then.
HARRISON, NJ – AUGUST 28: Kara Nortman, managing partner of Upfront Ventures and founder of Angel City FC; Alexis Ohanian, leading investor for Angel City FC; actress Natalie Portman and founder of Angel City FC; former NFL New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and part of the Gotham FC ownership group; and Julie Urman, founder of Angel City FC, pose on the pitch before the National Women’s Soccer League match between NJ/NY Gotham FC and Angel City FC at Red Bull Arena on August 28, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Ira L. Black – Corbis/Getty Images)
Then again, one cannot understate the impact of Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian, who was the ACFC’s Founding Controlling Owner before selling his stake to Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay. The couple have since then invested a whopping $50 million, helping them soar the team’s valuation from $180 million to $250 million overnight.
Today, the husband of Serena Williams may be involved with the NWSL club in a limited capacity, but his decision to invest did create a movement. No wonder Angel City’s ownership group consists of many revered A-listers.
The list includes iconic athletes like tennis trailblazers Billie Jean King and Ilana Kloss, Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, and WNBA great Candace Parker alongside her daughter Lailaa. From the world of soccer, 13 former USWNT stars have joined in. Notable names include Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Lauren Cheney Holiday, and Abby Wambach. USMNT and MLS legend Cobi Jones is also part of the mix.
Interestingly, Hollywood and pop culture are well represented too. While Latin pop star Becky G adds a musical flair to the roster, actors Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, Eva Longoria, and Lilly Singh have all pledged support. Entertainment executive Cindy Holland rounds out the group. Meanwhile, the rest includes author and activist Glennon Doyle, plus NFL names like Matthew Stafford and Ryan Kalil.
Also, let’s not forget Alexis Ohanian’s words, who once fervently said: “The NWSL will be bigger than MLS in 10 years because we can tell a story of excellence in women’s football in America.” Well, Angel City earning the most valuable women’s sports franchise in the world title is enough as a proof.
David Beckham and his Inter Miami dream
Speaking of words, Becks had something to say once while revisiting his dream of creating a club like Inter Miami that today boasts world-class names like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and even a young coach like Javier Mascherano. “I want to inspire the next generation of young kids that are playing in this country because, at some point, the US will win the World Cup,” he said.
July 16, 2023: Lionel Messi presents his jersey next to Inter Miami owners, Jorge Mas, far-left, Jose Mas, third from left, and David Beckham, far-right, during the teamÃs The Unveil event at DRV PNK Stadium on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The event was held to officially welcome Argentine forward Lionel Messi 10 and Spanish midfielder Sergio Busquets 5 to the team. – ZUMAm67_ 20230716_zaf_m67_028 Copyright: xMatiasxJ.xOcnerx
Trying to bring a soccer revolution while also backing the nation’s American boys to win the Golden Trophy, boy isn’t Beckham the sweetest? The $650 million Englishman first dominated the soccer landscape as a player by donning the shirts of iconic clubs and winning prestigious trophies. Now, DB7 is a name that stands tall as a trailblazer in bringing a revolution to the beautiful game in the States.
And can you imagine, it all started for Golden Balls by making a $25 million investment to initially buy the expansion rights of the Florida-based club? Today, he leads the MLS team alongside the famous Mas brothers in the entrepreneur and sporting world, a.k.a Jorge and Jose as well as Masayoshi Son, the CEO of Softbank. Rest, the name Lionel Messi alone stands as a testament to how far the Fort Lauderdale side has come.
Box office stadiums, attracting an A-lister crowd, or outselling his jerseys around the world. That’s not all; garnering the highest valuation growth of any U.S. sports team, jumping from $600M in 2023 to $1.02B in 2024, witnessing a revenue growth from $60M to $200M, and being the most Googled sports team globally in 2023—this reminds us: Alexis Ohanian, you may believe the NWSL can overshadow the MLS, but it will never carry the kind of influence Messi brings.
Magic Johnson, Will Ferrell & more of star-studded LAFC lineup
If you think the trend of A-listers investing in soccer franchises was initiated by the aforementioned teams, then we’d like to stop you right there. Making it into Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 2014, the team has since then witnessed significant growth, not just on the pitch, but off it as well.
KANSAS CITY, KS – OCTOBER 28: Comedian and LAFC Owner Will Ferrell gestures at SKC players during warmups before the match between Sporting Kansas City and Los Angeles FC played on Sunday October 28, 2018 at Children s Mercy Park in Kansas City, KS. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire) SOCCER: OCT 28 MLS Fussball Herren USA – Los Angeles FC at Sporting Kansas City PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxRUSxSWExNORxDENxONLY Icon1810280011
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Will Ferrell, USWNT icon Mia Hamm, and countless other A-listers. Not to mention the key financial backers of the club including Peter Guber, the CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, Mike Mahan, the CEO of Fanatics, Mark Shapiro, the president and COO of Endeavor, Joe Tsai, a co-founder of Alibaba, and Marc Merrill and Brandon Beck, the former co-CEOs and co-founders of Riot Games.
All these names are enough to explain why they boast a remarkable valuation of $1.25 billion. Of course, it makes them the most valuable team in the MLS.
The beautiful game just keeps getting better for the US!
To name a few more revered names passionately backing soccer’s rise in the U.S.—Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, singer Ciara, and comedian Drew Carey with Seattle Sounders FC; NBA star Kevin Durant with Philadelphia Union; NFL champion Patrick Mahomes with Sporting Kansas City; actor Matthew McConaughey with Austin FC; and Arthur Blank, Home Depot co-founder and Atlanta United FC owner who also invested $50 million into U.S. Soccer—each has become a vital force in shaping the sport’s future.
Clearly, it’s not just the U.S. Soccer Federation—an entire wave of A-listers, elite athletes, investors, and philanthropists have recognized the right path to turning America’s soccer dream into reality. Their commitment deserves nothing short of deep appreciation for fueling a movement that’s redefining the future of the sport in the country.
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