September 4: London Lionesses owner Michelle Kang says her club’s new Nike shirt deal is the biggest in women’s football and is worth more than some men’s teams in the Premier League.
The former benchmark is believed to be Atlanta’s new NWSL franchise, whose shirt deal is worth around $4 million, comparable to a Premier League newcomer and above most Championship clubs. Kang says the city of London has outdone him. “I can absolutely confirm that this is the biggest shirt deal ever for women only,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s higher than Atlanta’s number.”
It ends a great summer for the club, who signed two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas and Spanish defender Mapi León from Barcelona, as well as ex-England goalkeeper Mary Earps and Kadidiatou Diani from Lyon.
London City have burst onto the Women’s Super League scene becoming the biggest disruptors in English women’s football and Kang added: “There are so many other people who believe in the future of women’s football. They didn’t write a charity cheque. They believe that together we will invest and build that future together.”
All WSL clubs except London City share a shirt sponsor with their men’s team, so this record represents independent women’s clubs, and London City are the only such in the English top flight.
Kang, who also owns Lyon and the Washington Spirit, took over in 2023 and has spent big. London City host Manchester United to open the WSL season on Friday, with a capacity crowd expected at Bromley.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at (email protected)
