El Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, uno de los equipos femeninos más dominantes de Europa, se transformará en OL Lyonnes, según anunció su propietaria mayoritaria, Michele Kang.
A Name Change with Meaning
The new name, “Lyonnes”, is a play on words that combines “lioness” with the city’s name, Lyon. Kang explained that the modification of the French spelling, replacing the “i” with a “y”, seeks to maintain a connection with the men’s club and the city.
It is appropriate to ensure that everyone, globally and in this country, knows that we are part of Lyon.
Michele Kang
The team’s new logo features a roaring red lioness with blue and gold details. The team’s motto will be “New History, Same Legend”.
Kang announced that the professional women’s team will exchange training facilities with the club’s youth academy. In addition, the women’s team will renovate its new space to create a performance center “intentionally designed for female athletes.” Kang will fund the work.
From now on, OL Lyonnes will play all their matches at the Groupama Stadium, with a capacity for approximately 59,000 spectators and home to the 2019 Women’s World Cup final. Previously, the women’s team only played there occasionally.
The best team in the world, I was surprised that they played most of the matches in a training center. It’s inappropriate. We want our fans to be part of our journey, part of our community, and fan engagement cannot be achieved by constantly changing.
Michele Kang
Kang also owns the London City Lionesses and the Washington Spirit of the NWSL. The Spirit are in the midst of a brand transition. Kang plans to acquire a fourth team on a new continent as part of her multi-club business called Kynisca.
Kang donated the Kynisca research branch, which seeks to advance training philosophies specific to women, to U.S. Soccer, after having invested $25 million in it, and had previously committed $30 million over five years to U.S. Soccer to fund advances in programming and training for the women’s national team.
OL Lyonnes, which will start using this name next season, is the most successful women’s team in the history of Europe.
The club, which was incorporated under the Olympique Lyonnais brand in 2004, has won eight UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, more than any other club. In the current season, OL Lyonnes won their 18th French league title in the last 19 years.
Kang acquired majority control of the OL women’s team in 2023, creating some independence from the men’s team.
Kang has strongly advocated for women’s teams to implement independent plans that cater to their own needs.
Creating a dedicated training space for the women’s team was one of Kang’s first goals after buying the team. The renovated facilities are expected to be ready by July 2026 and will feature local elements, such as Lyon limestone.
Kang highlighted that the players have specific needs, such as childcare and support during pregnancy.
Players always want to know why. There are many more conversations. They need much more space, whether it’s individual space or public space, that encourages conversations.
Michele Kang
The installation will also feature a women’s football museum, according to Kang.
