Y. Michele Kang has taken over as the controlling owner of the Washington Spirit, according to an official release from the team on Tuesday, ending a lengthy power struggle at the helm of the reigning NWSL champion.
Kang, a Washington-area businesswoman who previously owned a minority share of the club, will acquire the interests of now former owners Bill Lynch and Steve Baldwin. According to the release, Kang will work with other investors to build a new ownership group.
“I personally appreciate, and want to publicly recognize, Bill Lynch’s pivotal work as the founding owner of the Spirit bringing women’s professional soccer back to our nation’s capital, and also Steve Baldwin’s leadership, vision and formidable drive in building the Spirit and the outstanding roster that won the 2021 NWSL Championship,” Kang said in a statement. “I can’t wait to begin work with our talented, resilient players and staff.”
