Pioneer, “boss queen” … Who is Michele Kang, the new president at the OL bedside?

• Already at the head of Ol Lyonnes. Therefore, Michele Kang was appointed, Monday, June 30, president of Olympique Lyonnais to replace John Textor.
• The 66-year-old American-Korean business woman. Similarly, who has made a fortune in the United States, is responsible for saving the club from a demotion in Ligue 2.
• TF1info presents the first woman president of a male football club in France.

– Pioneer, "boss queen" … who

There has already been a coach with Corinne Diacre in Clermont in Ligue 2 (2014-2017). Nevertheless, an owner in the person of Margarita Louis-Dreyfus at OM (2009-2016) and a manager of a large instance with Nathalie Boy of the tower pioneer, “boss queen” … who at the head of the LFP (2016-2020). Nevertheless, But a woman had never yet held this position in France.

Business woman. Moreover, philanthropist, the discreet Michele Kang entered the story, Monday, June 30, by becoming the first president of a Ligue 1 club. Meanwhile, The owner. Nevertheless, patron of OL Lyonnes, the Women’s Women’s section of Olympique Lyonnais, was appointed to replace John Textor, resigning after the Rhodanian club 2 club. Similarly, A sanction taken by the DNCG, the financial gendarme of French football, for which Lyon appealed.

We are entering a critical period for OL

Michele Kang. For example, new president of Olympique Lyonnais – Pioneer, "boss queen" … who

“Michele is the ideal choice to direct OL in the next phase and I have fully confidence in herself and OL, which will come out stronger under her direction”said John Textor, pioneer, “boss queen” … who quoted in a press release (new window)who formalizes the promotion of Michael Gerlinger, a former respected leader of Bayern Munich, where he spent 18 years, as general manager.

“We are entering a critical period for OL”for its part recognized the new president, whose task is to influence the DNCG decision to demot the “Gones” at the lower level. A mission that seems to be cut for it.

Self -taught. formidable in business

Born in June pioneer, “boss queen” … who 1959, in Seoul, South Korea, Michele Kang went to study in the United States in the 1980s thanks to a loan initially planned by her parents for her future marriage. The one who dreamed younger to become an opera singer. a professional basketball player or a teacher settles in Chicago, in Illinois, where she won an economy license. Later, she obtained a master’s degree in business administration in Yale, in Connecticut.

Associated with EY. specializing in high -tech and telecommunications, it is set out by Northrop Grumman, an aerospace and defense technology conglomerate. It climbed the ladder until it becomes vice-president of the Health & Science Solutions unit.

With these experiences, Michele Kang is building his Tech Health Empire. In 2008. she founded Cognosant, a medical technology company, then Cognosis Ventures, a venture capital company, which made it billionaire before reselling them in 2024. According to Forbes (new window)her fortune is estimated at $ 1.2 billion in 2025, which makes her the 11ᵉ pioneer, “boss queen” … who woman owner of a richest sports team in the world.

“Boss queen”

It was not until 2019. with the world coronation of the USA team (new window) In France, which she is really interested in football. Philanthrope, she puts her money at the service of sport and her relays. In 2022. in addition to his donations to assistance programs for veterans of the American army, Michele Kang financially supported Just Women’s Sports (new window)an American media dedicated to female sport. The same year, she was investing in the soccer female. The businesswoman becomes the majority owner of the Washington Spirit franchise. where it is nicknamed “Boss Queen” (in French, “the Patronne Queen”).

Figure respected across the Atlantic, it is above all a large committed feminist. In 2024, she paid $ 30 million to the American Federation to develop women’s football. pioneer, “boss queen” … who She is also generous with the American 7 rugby program that she gratifies with a donation of $ 4. million (new window) After the Olympic Girls Bronze in Paris.

OL in its galaxy

In parallel, Michele Kang continues to expand his sports portfolio. In 2023. via her holding company YMK Holdings, she became a shareholder in Women’s OL and joined the board of directors, in exchange for 40 million euros which she invests in Eagle Football, the company of John Textor, which is none other than its neighbor in Florida. Before finalizing her takeover in February 2024 and May 2025. In the meantime, she completed her galaxy with the London City Lionesses.

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Olympique Lyonnais threatened with administrative demotion in Ligue 2: and now, what will happen?

Three clubs which she ends up bringing together under the banner of Kynisca Sports International. LTD, the first multi-team world organization dedicated to women’s football. “Each club will retain its own established identity. while respecting its inheritance and its community of supporters”she reassures however, at the time of rebranding Criticized from the Women’s Women’s section in OL Lyonnes. A development structure, which she wanted to open to South America and Asia, which she will have to break on. At least time to get OL out of the crisis which he was filled with.