Barclays Women's Championship: Michele Kang (KOR/USA) acquires London City Lionesses

American businesswoman Michele Kang, who already owns the Washington Spirits NWSL franchise via YMK Holdings, has acquired the London City Lionesses (Barclays Women's Championship, English D2), announced the two parties on 15/12/2023.

The LCLs are the only women's club playing in one of the top two women's divisions in England to be independent and not dependent on a professional club with a men's side. The deal comes three weeks after the announcement of the creation of NewCo, a new organisation dedicated to the management of professional women's football in England from the 2024-25 season.

The acquisition of the London club is part of Michele Kang's plan to create a global multi-team women's football structure, which includes OL Féminin (D1 Arkema) following an agreement signed with OL Groupe on 16/05/2023.

"Each club in Kang's group will retain its own established identity, respecting its heritage, community, and supporter bases. Kang will invest strategically to upgrade infrastructure and grow the fan base for each club. In parallel, significant resources will be devoted…