The 2025–26 Women’s Super League season begins with a fresh and compelling storyline: London City Lionesses are the first fully independent club – a club unaffiliated with a men’s side – to be promoted to the WSL. Under new ownership by Michele Kang, who also controls Washington Spirit (USA) and OL Lyonnes (France), the club has become part of a multi-club ownership model.
This model brings many advantages. First, resources: shared expertise in performance science, data analytics and player development, which historically have often lagged in women’s football, especially outside the biggest clubs. Kang’s Kynisca organisation explicitly aims to centralise some of these capacities so that all her clubs, including London City, benefit.
Second, investment: London City have made big signings (like Kosovare Asllani, Saki Kumagai, and more recently Grace Geyoro to name a few) to build a squad capable of competing in the WSL from day one. These moves help raise the profile of the league, attract fans, media, and sponsors. Third, infrastructure: the club is developing a training facility at Aylesford in Kent and has moved to Hayes Lane in Bromley, signalling commitment to stability.
But there are also risks and potential downsides.
One is sustainability: huge investment is costly, and recurring losses can be serious unless revenues rise quickly. Women’s football still lags in television money, commercial deals and matchday income compared to the men’s game. If expectations aren’t met, financial pressures could mount. Another is identity: being independent means London City don’t benefit from the brand power, facilities or fanbase of a men’s club. That can be an advantage (autonomy, identity) but also a challenge (less built-in exposure, fewer economies of scale in marketing or commercial deals).
Another [risk] is identity: being independent means London City don’t benefit from the brand power, facilities or fanbase of a men’s club.
Thirdly, conflict of interest or dilution of commitment could occur in multi-club ownership. If one club gets priority (for transfers, staff, spotlight), it could damage credibility. Regulatory oversight will matter: ensuring transparency and fairness.
Overall, London City Lionesses represent a significant step forward for the women’s game. Their rise shows that independent clubs can aim for the top with well-structured investment, ambitious leadership, and strategic planning. They may help shift the norm away from dependency on men’s clubs.
But whether this is a lasting step forward depends on whether the model is sustainable: whether revenues catch up; whether the club delivers on-pitch results; and whether the governance of multi-club ownership avoids pitfalls. If London City flounder under the weight of expectations, it could serve as a warning, but so far the signs are positive.
