• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

PWHL Enjoys Historic Debut Season, Now Must Confront Growth Hurdles

  • Several key business areas will be points of focus for league officials this offseason.
  • The initial success of the PWHL in part ties into a larger groundswell around women’s pro sports.
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Professional Women’s Hockey League is ending a debut season filled with historic successes, but also one that sets up questions about where it takes that initial momentum next. 

The PWHL Minnesota and Boston teams will play a deciding Game 5 of the league final Wednesday at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass. The contest will cap an inaugural season in which the PWHL averaged 5,448 per game in attendance during the regular season, generated further boosts at the gate during the postseason, and tapped into a broader groundswell for women’s pro sports that also has seen historic results over the past year for the NWSL and WNBA. 

During the course of the season, the PWHL set multiple records for the most-attended women’s hockey game, capping with a draw of 21,105 on April 20 at the Bell Centre for a game between the Montreal and Toronto franchises. Primarily backed by Mark Walter, lead owner of MLB’s Dodgers, the PWHL has also enjoyed a significant boost in prominence from the presence of tennis and equal rights icon Billie Jean King, an investor in and adviser to the league. 

Critical To-Do List

But just as the inaugural season is capped as a significant success, there are now several critical areas of focus as the PWHL looks ahead to the second year. Among them:

  • Team identities: The lack of team nicknames—each of the six teams this year was named “PWHL” with its respective market—added to an initial fan focus on the league name. But team names are in development and will be incorporated into a recently completed jersey deal with Bauer that will take full effect with the 2024–25 season.
  • Media rights: The PWHL enjoyed extensive national-level broadcast coverage in Canada, both in English and French. But the U.S. presence was focused primarily on regional sports networks and the league’s YouTube channel. A key initiative for the league will be to expand the U.S. broadcast profile beyond an existing deal with the Women’s Sports Network. 
  • New York: The league’s franchise there averaged a PWHL-worst attendance of 2,496, and played home games in three different venues spanning the states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, complicating efforts to develop a local fan base. Shoring up the PWHL’s presence in the largest U.S. media market will be a key offseason priority. 
  • Expansion: There are several markets in both the U.S. and Canada interested in gaining PWHL franchises, but league officials are putting expansion on the back burner for the second season, choosing to focus instead on further testing of candidate cities with neutral-site games, a measure already done in Pittsburgh and Detroit. 

“When the season’s over, we’re going to review everything—every city, every venue that we’re in, and we’re going to try to improve,” said Stan Kasten, another PWHL advisory board member, a close ally of Walter’s, and a key figure in the development and initial operation of the league. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back AK Dear (0) tries to outrun Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) during the second half at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Despite Vote Delay, SCORE Act Negotiations Continue on Capitol Hill

Political ad campaigns during college football Saturdays continue as well.
Sep 14, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; Portland Thorns FC midfielder Olivia Moultrie (13) kicks the ball past Chicago Stars FC defender Sam Staab (3) during the second half of a match at SeatGeek Stadium.

NWSL Beefs Up Media Deal With More CBS, ESPN, Adds Victory+

The NWSL has been locked into its existing deal since last year.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Adam Silver Walks Back Claim He’d Never Heard of Aspiration

Adam Silver spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.
September 15, 2025

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.
September 15, 2025

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.
September 12, 2025

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.