Wednesday, September 23, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Women’s Hockey League’s Salary Cap Jumps 900% From 2021

  • The PHF is increasing its salary cap to $1.5 million.
  • The move is part of a three-year, $25 million commitment approved by the board of governors less than a year ago.
Woman attempts shot during Premiere Hockey Federation matchup
PHF

The Premier Hockey Federation is doubling its salary cap again.

After raising it from $300,000 to $750,000 for the 2022-23 season, the women’s hockey league announced plans on Wednesday to raise it again for the 2023-24 season — this time to $1.5 million, representing a 900% increase since 2021, when it was $150,000.

The move is part of a three-year, $25 million commitment approved by the board of governors less than a year ago.

  • The PHF, which was established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, added Montreal as a team this season. The NWHL rebranded to the PHF in 2021.
  • Commissioner Reagan Carey said that further expansion is being considered.

“Greater financial opportunities for athletes is part of the new PHF era,” Carey said. “We are doing the work, and we are seeing the results.”

All seven teams in the league currently exceed 75% of the current cap.

PHF, ESPN Agree on Two-Year Media Rights Extension

The deal keeps the Premier Hockey Federation on ESPN networks through 2023-24.
August 24, 2022

Ice Rights

The league’s potential isn’t only seen from within it.

In August, ESPN extended its broadcasting deal with the PHF through the 2023-24 season for domestic and international rights. ESPN+ will stream the regular season, special events, and the Isobel Cup Playoffs in the U.S. International rights will include TSN in Canada.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
SEA at VAN - Nov. 21, 20251

Will the PWHL’s Aggressive Expansion Succeed?

The league added four teams ahead of the 2026–27 season.
PWHL - OTT at BOS- April 30, 2026_11

PWHL Players Publish Every Salary in League

Only 10 players earned six figures, while two-thirds earned less than $60K.

PWHL Adds 4 Teams Amid Expansion Spree

The next four teams will bring the league up to 12 franchises.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/23/26 – NFL QB Injuries Pile Up, Seahawks’ Scouting Cold War, Aikman’s Contract Limbo

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.

MLB Raises PE Ownership Limit to 20%

The change happened earlier this summer and wasn’t announced.
September 22, 2026

Presidents Cup Gives Medinah ‘Mount Rushmore’ of Golf Events

The Presidents Cup begins Thursday just outside Chicago.
September 22, 2026

NHL Not Rushing Expansion Decision

The high-stakes decision is developing without any rigid timetable.
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
September 22, 2026

Ohtani Return Gives MLB, Fox a Boost; Judge Heads to IL

The two MLB superstars reverse their roster status from two weeks ago.
Sep 29, 2024; Ile Bizard, Quebec, CAN; Scottie Scheffler of Team USA celebrates with the trophy during the ceremony after the final round of The Presidents Cup golf tournament.
September 22, 2026

Presidents Cup Stipends Cross the $25M Mark This Week

Players and captains began receiving cash payments in 2022.
Jul 18, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Red Sox ground crew remove the field tarp after a rain delay before a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
September 22, 2026

Incoming Nor’easter Could Scramble MLB’s Playoff Seeding Picture

A brutal weather forecast looms over this weekend’s Chicago-Boston series.
First at FOS
September 21, 2026

NFL Has ‘Full Confidence’ Brazil Field Will Be Ready by Sunday

The Cowboys play the Ravens on Sunday in Rio.