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Connecticut Whale sold, half of NWHL teams now privately owned
The Whale are now the third privately-owned franchise in the NWHL.
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The National Women’s Hockey League announced on Wednesday a significant increase to team salary caps.
All six NWHL teams’ salary thresholds will double from $150,000 to $300,000 for the 2021-22 season.
The move indicates the league’s commitment to increased investment and its vision for financial growth. NWSL commissioner Tyler Tumminia cites sponsorship deals, like the one inked with Discover, as signs of that progress.
Salary increases come on the heels of a season complicated by COVID-19. The NWHL was forced to suspend its 2021 season in Lake Placid, N.Y. in early February after multiple players tested positive for the virus and teams opted out over COVID-19 concerns.
Despite the shortened schedule and disruptions, the NWHL’s Isobel Cup (which resumed on March 26) still saw a dramatic increase in ratings, drawing over 100,000 viewers on NBCSN.
Moving into its seventh season, the NWHL hopes pay increases will help draw and retain top talent, further advancing women’s professional hockey in the United States.
The Whale are now the third privately-owned franchise in the NWHL.
The event will take place from May 24-30.
The event will now take place May 16 and 17.
Team USA players had criticized the IIHF for its lack of contingency planning.