It is a page of history that is written today in the world of French football. Michele KangAmerican entrepreneur of South Korean origin, became the first woman to take over the presidency of a French male club of Ligue 1, in this case Olympique Lyonnais. A major feat in a universe still largely dominated by men, where his atypical career and his innovative vision already arouse a lot of interest.
A pioneer in a world of men
Born in 1959 in Seoul, Michele Kang had a career in tech before becoming a successful entrepreneur. She founded Cognosis, a company specializing in medical technology, which she sold for a billion dollars in 2024. It was only after the Women’s Football World Cup in 2019 that Kang became interested in football. In 2022, she became the majority owner of the Washington Spirit, women’s football team in the United States.
Her arrival at the head of male OL in 2025, succeeding John Textor, made her a historic figure. First woman to preside over a male club in Ligue 1, she opens the way to a new era, where female leadership is also essential in male professional.
An innovative and human approach
What distinguishes Michele Kang is his vision that is both business and human. Far from the traditional football codes, it brings an innovative approach, focused on the development of women’s football but also on the modernization of the club. For example, she launched the Kynisca Innovation Hub, dedicated to research on female physiology in sport, an unprecedented project that shows its commitment to equality and innovation.
His journey, marked by a success in a very different field before football, gives another dimension to his role. Michele Kang does not correspond to the cliché of the sports leader: she rather embodies the spirit of a modern entrepreneur, Capable of shaking up habits and redefining standards in an often conservative environment.
The new face of Olympique Lyonnais
Today, Michele Kang is more than a leader: she is an ambassador of a deep change in French sport. At the head of male and female OL, it combines tradition and modernity, performance and innovation, feminism and business. His fortune estimated by Forbes at $ 1.2 billion The place among the most influential women in global sport.
This inspiring route, marked by daring choices and a desire to break the codes, perfectly corresponds to the air of time. For all women who dream of leadership, Michele Kang is a model to follow, proof that professional sport can also be a field of equality and emancipation.
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FAQ – Olympique Lyonnais
1. Who is the current president of Olympique Lyonnais?
Since June 2025, Michele Kang has been the president of Olympique Lyonnais, becoming the first woman to lead a male football club in French Ligue 1.
2. What are the greatest successes of OL?
Olympique Lyonnais won 7 consecutive titles of French Ligue 1 champion between 2002 and 2008, as well as several European cups and European titles in women’s football.
3. Where does Olympique Lyonnais play?
The club plays its matches at Groupama Stadium, located in Décines-Charpieu, in the Metropolis of Lyon. The stadium can accommodate more than 59,000 spectators.
Who are the current OL players?
OL has several talents in its male and female team, with players and players recognized nationally and internationally, also evolving in national selections.
5. How to follow the games of Olympique Lyonnais?
OL matches are broadcast on several French sports television channels and can also be followed in streaming on official platforms and via the club’s social networks.
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