• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Will Women’s Pro Hockey Match WNBA, NWSL Success? Good Luck Getting a Ticket to Find Out

  • New women’s pro hockey league starts with a series of sellouts.
  • PWHL is aided by a series of key backers, both financially and logistically.
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The ongoing rise of women’s sports has hit another breakthrough moment with this week’s on-ice debut of the Professional Women’s Hockey League.

Borne out of the 2023 merger of the former Premier Hockey Federation and Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, the six-team PWHL is looking for a similar type of cultural and business impact as has been achieved in the past year by the WNBA and NWSL. Early indications show that the PWHL is on its way.

The league’s first-ever game was held Monday at Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Center, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens, drawing a sellout crowd of 2,537, and the PWHL’s Toronto franchise has already sold out its entire season-ticket allotment for its 2024 home schedule. Sellouts are also expected for the initial games in Ottawa and Montreal, and the lower bowl of the Minnesota Wild’s Xcel Energy Center is expected to be filled for the home debut Saturday of the PWHL’s Minnesota franchise. 

Ottawa in particular is expected to set a new global attendance record for women’s pro hockey for its home opener Tuesday with an anticipated crowd of more than 8,000, though that record may not last long if the league continues to gain traction.

Historical Impact

That first PWHL game in Toronto began with a clear nod to history with women’s sports trailblazer and icon Billie Jean King leading a ceremonial faceoff. King also has a seat on the PWHL board of directors. 

“I’ve been part of world championships, club championships, Olympic Games, and there was probably more emotion surrounding this one than any of those gold medal games,” Toronto coach Troy Ryan told Reuters. “There’s so much riding on this situation, it is such a long time coming, and so many people fought for the opportunity.”

The league is receiving logistical and operational—but not financial—support from the NHL. Mark Walter, lead owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and an investor in several other teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, is the primary backer for the PWHL. 

Also aiding the PWHL are a series of newly completed media deals with MSG Networks, NESN, and Bally Sports North in the U.S.; and with CBC/Radio-Canada, TSN and RDS, and SportsNet in Canada. The American pacts are regionally focused on the New York, Boston, and Minneapolis markets, while the Canadian deals are national-level agreements.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Missing Madness: All No. 1 Seeds in Men’s Final Four, First Time..

The results show the impact of NIL and the transfer portal.

UConn-USC Dream Matchup Diminished by JuJu Watkins Injury

JuJu Watkins tore her ACL in the round of 32.
Columbia, SC - February 16, 2025 - Colonial Life Arena: Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco during a regular season game.

Inside Ryan Ruocco’s Rapid Rise to ESPN’s Top Voice of Women’s Hoops

The top voice became “quickly addicted” to calling the women’s game.
TCU Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith (10) celebrates as she heads to the locker room after winning the NCAA Playoff Regional semi-final game against Notre Dame at Legacy Arena in Birmingham Alabama, March 29, 2025.

Hailey Van Lith Is an Early Success Story of Unrestricted Transfer Portal

She becomes first player to reach the Elite Eight with three teams.

Featured Today

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Chris Youngblood (8) and the Alabama Crimson Tide bench celebrate during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center.

How Alabama Became College Basketball’s Newest Juggernaut

The Crimson Tide have found success rivaling their historic football program.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
March 25, 2025

Kendall Coyne Schofield Wants More for the Next Wave of Mom-Athletes

The Walter Cup–winning Frost captain says small changes mean “everything.”
Dec 21, 2024; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks to pass the ball against USC Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) in the first half at XL Center.
March 23, 2025

‘More Value to Be Had’: Were Women’s March Madness Media Rights Undersold?

Could the NCAA have gotten millions more in its latest TV deal?
Mar 20, 2025; Lexington, KY, USA; Creighton Bluejays forward Jasen Green (0) dunks the ball during the second half against the Louisville Cardinals in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Rupp Arena
March 22, 2025

Basketball-Only Schools Could See Power Surge After House Settlement Approval 

Football teams might monopolize the revenue-sharing dollars at power conference schools.

NFL Owners Face Big Decisions on 18th Game, Streaming, Rules

The league approaches its key offseason gathering with a sense of resurgent growth.
March 28, 2025

UFL Kicking Off 2025 Season With Labor Fight Still Simmering

The league’s first game is still on, even without a labor deal in place.
March 30, 2025

MLB OK With New Yankees ‘Torpedo’ Bats Used in 9-HR Game

The home run barrage tied an MLB record.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
March 28, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Sweet 16 Performance Fuels NBA Tanking Debate

The Duke star shined as the Blue Devils advanced to the Elite Eight.
March 27, 2025

Adam Silver Says NBA All-Star Game Changes Were ‘A Miss’

The commissioner acknowledged poor reception for this year’s game.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Jan 23, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks before the Paris Games 2025 NBA basketball game between the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers at Accor Arena.
March 27, 2025

Silver: NBA Will ‘Explore’ European League With FIBA

Silver said the board of governors showed “enthusiastic support.”
March 27, 2025

MLB’s Growing Payroll Divide: Rich Teams Soar While Poor Lag Behind

The Dodgers’ 2025 player payroll nearly quintuples the Marlins’ spending.