Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang and superstar forward Trinity Rodman were named Tuesday to the inaugural TIME100 Sports list, which recognizes the most influential athletes and decision-makers from across the athletic landscape.
Rodman is one of the most recognizable female soccer players in the world.
The 24-year-old is a star for the U.S. women’s national team, leading the group to a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. She has scored 13 goals in 56 international appearances as part of the popular “Triple Espresso” trio of attackers with Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson.
Rodman, the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, became one of the highest-paid players in the world last winter when she signed a three-year deal worth more than $6 million.
Kang became the Spirit’s majority owner in 2022. The NWSL club has seen substantial growth in its attendance, viewership and cultural footprint in the intervening four years, becoming one of the most recognizable franchises in women’s soccer.
Kang, a native of South Korea, is also the controlling owner of the London City Lionesses of the Women’s Super League and OL Lyonnes, which competes in the French Premiere Ligue and UEFA Women’s Champions League.
The 67-year-old has become a household name in women’s athletics for her business acquisitions and philanthropic efforts. She donated $30 million to U.S. Soccer to expand its women and girls’ programs in 2024. Kang also made a $4 million donation to USA Rugby to support its women’s team after a bronze medal run at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Other TIME100 Sports honorees included figure skater Ilia Malinin, NBA star LeBron James, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, MLB two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani and reigning WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson.
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