PHF Purchased, Teams to Be Folded Into New PWHPA League

[Scott_TG]

Jeff Marek is reporting on Twitter that a call has just taken place with both groups of players (PHF and PWHPA) announcing that Billie Jean King Enterprises and Mark Walters Group (the groups negotiating with and backing the PWHPA on their new league) has purchased the PHF.

Marek is reporting that all PHF contracts are voided and claims that PHF athletes will play in PWHPA alongside those players. But Marek has clearly been in the pro-PWHPA camp like the majority of Canadian hockey reporters.

Considering what PWHPA players like Hilary Knight have said about the PHF and its players I have a hard time believing anyone outside a handful of the very top PHF players will be given an opportunity in this new league.

What happened tonight is the owners of the PHF league and its teams were handed enough money for them to shut down and hand a monopoly to the King/Walters partnership.

This is sickening.

[BowWowWow]

Following up on the hopes and concerns about the coming season, some numbers to consider. 122 players have signed in the PHF by a count of the announcements (Victory Press and/or Ice Garden). These include 83 returners who played in the PHF last season and 39 signings from outside the PHF. About 74 players from 2022-23 hadn't yet been signed to a league for 2023-24, and the PHF had the capacity for 175 total. I hope that a space exists in which these players will play.

[Reddington]

No idea on how contracts can be voided unless there is a buyout clause.

[Scott_TG]

No idea on how contracts can be voided unless there is a buyout clause.

Reports tonight say the "contracts" were essentially at-will in that the teams could terminate them at any time for any reason.

There's also rumors of heavy non-competes after termination but after that rumor circulated Ian Kennedy tweeted that a PHF contacted him to say that wasn't true.

It looks like what we will see will be PWHPA players competing on teams they previously were too good for and called the players working and sacrificing to grow the league and the sport a "glorified beer league" while they were content to play barnstorming tours arrogantly assuming the PHF would fold without them. When it was clear it wasn't they went and had their backers buy the league out.

The second most sickening thing after all the players' whose plans and dreams evaporated in a single Zoom call is the thought that if this league makes it they are going to rewrite history. If the league makes it, 20 years from now players who sat on the sidelines because putting the work in was beneath them will be hailed as the founders of the league instead of the ones who put the work in.

[shelfit]

I am absolutely shocked by this turn of events. I did not see this coming at all. In fact, with the influx of money in the PHF (even though I never liked the new name), it seemed like this league was well on its way to becoming the only legit pro league for women's hockey in North America. This isn't what I had hoped for between the two groups. I had hoped for a merger that would he mutually beneficial, not a cold-hearted corporate buyout by the group that seemed like they couldn't get their act together to form a proper league rather than a barnstorming schedule each year. This feels cold and ruthless, and I've lost a lot of respect for the buyers who have apparently just taken over women's pro hockey, and I've lost all respect for the people in charge of selling the league at this time when it definitely seened they didn't need anyone from the PWHPA to make the PHF become legit. This feels like a sad moment, not a celebratory moment. Maybe down the road I'll feel differently, but not tonight. Tonight, I'm disappointed and saddened by this news. Finally, they better find a better name than either the PWHPA or rhe PHF. Both of those names suck!! They should.make it a public survey or contest to come up with the best name. I propose either the WPHL (Women’s Pro Hockey League) or something similar. I'm open to alternative suggestions.

[Still Eeyore]

This was inevitable, as soon as the PHF started raising salaries like they did. That's not viable if the best players in the sport aren't a part of the league. It's not viable unless it is clearly the top league in women's professional hockey. It's not viable unless the NHL forms some sort of partnership with that league, which the NHL had said they would not do in the previous environment. The salaries rose to be in the ballpark of those in the WNBA, and that's only possible in a WNBA like structure.

There really wasn't any other path to go down.

[Russell Jaslow]

I am absolutely shocked by this turn of events. I did not see this coming at all. In fact, with the influx of money in the PHF (even though I never liked the new name), it seemed like this league was well on its way to becoming the only legit pro league for women's hockey in North America. This isn't what I had hoped for between the two groups. I had hoped for a merger that would he mutually beneficial, not a cold-hearted corporate buyout by the group that seemed like they couldn't get their act together to form a proper league rather than a barnstorming schedule each year. This feels cold and ruthless, and I've lost a lot of respect for the buyers who have apparently just taken over women's pro hockey, and I've lost all respect for the people in charge of selling the league at this time when it definitely seened they didn't need anyone from the PWHPA to make the PHF become legit. This feels like a sad moment, not a celebratory moment. Maybe down the road I'll feel differently, but not tonight. Tonight, I'm disappointed and saddened by this news. Finally, they better find a better name than either the PWHPA or rhe PHF. Both of those names suck!! They should.make it a public survey or contest to come up with the best name. I propose either the WPHL (Women’s Pro Hockey League) or something similar. I'm open to alternative suggestions.

There are some rumors going around -- from legitimate women's hockey sources -- that the PHF was in financial trouble, and about to declare bankruptcy. Looks like the whole thing was a house of cards. Or maybe more like a house of mirrors.

Before I give my opinion, I should state that I have always been on the side of one league is the only way you can grow any sport, anywhere. And the history of professional sports have shown that to be true. So, I have always insisted women's hockey has to have one league with all the players eligible to play, to start being a success.

Having said that, I agree with what you posted. The way this went down, was as sleazy as sleazy gets. And to reiterate, it was obvious the PWHPA was incapable, after many years of promising, to be able to put together a league of their own. So, they did the Bill Gates/Steve Jobs method -- buy out your competition to put it out of business. In this case, they did that and then some -- use it as a foundation to build a business you were incapable of building.

I've read the signed PHF players are getting some severance and extension of benefits. But after that, it's SOL. (Also, all the front office workers on every team and the league have been laid off as well.) Some people are saying, "Well this is just like when companies buy each other out and layoff a slew of people because of duplicate jobs." Sure, but that doesn't make it any easier for those going through this right now. You don't tell someone who lost a loved one, "Well, I lost a loved one too, so suck it up."

Plus, this is a contraction. We go from seven PHF teams and potentially (planned) four PWHPA teams to just six teams (being reported everywhere) in this new league. From 11 to six. At least one PHF team will be totally wiped out, and potentially others depending on where they put the six teams.

Like you said, the PHF players stepped up to play hockey in a league, and are now being told, too bad, we (PWHPA) were always better, and you don't deserve to be where you are, even though we didn't do sh*t to help create a bona fide professional women's hockey league.

Yes, in the long run, it's for the better. But I just wonder, whether this means truly justifies the end. Because it's just so sleazy.

I'd love to hear Lindsay and Nicole's take on this.

(BTW, apparently the new league will be called the PWHL -- Premier Women's Hockey League.)

[Scott_TG]

Word is that Boston, Buffalo and Connecticut are out as locations. There will be 3 Canadian teams and 3 American.

I'm guessing that Canada is going to be Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary (a PWHPA hub city).

For the US it sounds like they're keeping the NYC metro and Minneapolis-St. Paul markets. My guess is the third is Pittsburgh.

[Russell Jaslow]

Word is that Boston, Buffalo and Connecticut are out as locations. There will be 3 Canadian teams and 3 American.

I'm guessing that Canada is going to be Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary (a PWHPA hub city).

For the US it sounds like they're keeping the NYC metro and Minneapolis-St. Paul markets. My guess is the third is Pittsburgh.

Ottawa?

Detroit? Philly? I absolutely don't get no Boston (and this coming from a NY sports fan who despises anything to do with Boston, LOL).

As for Calgary, so they are going to increase travel costs... Yeah, smart move there PWHPA...

[Lindsay]

I was surprised but not shocked, mainly because Jeff Marek has long pointed to the history of the WHA/NHL and said it could go down like this. Like everyone else, I just have a lot of questions, but I guess it’s wait and see. I feel for those who had their lives upended over this but my initial reaction was that this is a good thing. Olivia Zafuto captured it well on Twitter where she essentially said it’s sad, it’s scary but it’s also maybe a step in the right direction , one league.

I differ from others in that I think the players that sat out did drive a lot of the change and growth in the PHF, and media attention. The players who played in the PHF obviously also built that league.

I think a priority should be preserving PHF / nwhl history. There are numerous people with the knowledge to write books on the league. Why not write one?

24 hours into it it seems like leadership is trying to efficiently kill a bunch of birds with one stone: PW can’t build a league but can build a union apparently, PHF is maybe out of money, PW prob wants in some of the markets and doesn’t want to be vilified while one of them dies a slow death, meanwhile let’s be real PHF has unsustainable salaries (remember when we had 2 teams in Boston as well as Markham and Toronto?), not enough people are watching PHF, the Pw barnstorming is boring. In short they need each other and one league. Like they, the players were saying back in 2018. I like Hefford and Carey are staying but not running the show. The guy running the show was apparently the president of the Atlanta Thrashers (hmm) but also has been president a bunch of other places. Interesting that this ownership group also owns the LA Sparks as well as an MLB team and NBA team.

There does seem to be an attempt at unification here ie) a lot of PHF front office staff will be retained.

I’m sentimental so would like to see a Rylan brand kept, bring back the Furies and Canadiennes, keep the Whitecaps. But apparently that’s not happening?

The NHL. Hopefully they will help the league gain visibility. No reason the NHL all star festivities next year shouldn’t show case this league. There is simply no reason the nhl shouldn’t be doing everything they can to help with the visibility. We need to have learned something from the cw in this respect.

The media in general… what is going to be the plan to get this league the coverage and visibility it needs to succeed? I saw nothing on “just women’s sports” which I’ve long understood doesn’t care about hockey but it’s still shocking.

Looking forward to learning more, interested in understanding the Union stuff, I doubt many in my generation and younger are well versed in it. Basically, interested in understanding exactly how and why this league will be different and succeed. I hope it does.

[Lindsay]

Ottawa?

Detroit? Philly? I absolutely don't get no Boston (and this coming from a NY sports fan who despises anything to do with Boston, LOL).

As for Calgary, so they are going to increase travel costs... Yeah, smart move there PWHPA...

Yea I wonder why leave Boston. Perhaps due to high cost of living? Calgary didn’t support the team they had. 3 teams in Canada is a huge win for the Canadians, long term. I’m excited to learn the markets

[MAHOCKEY FAN]

I have followed the Boston Pride for 8 years and gone to over 30 games. While I hate the league name…..they really put on a good show. Go to a Saturday game and the place was packed with girls teams attending. sundays were more difficult due to the girls leagues playing on Sundays. Getting the games on ESPN+ was a real win vs the Twitch years….although the side commentary was fun.

So one league was always the dream. The pwhpa constantly complained that the league didn’t have safety, or insurance, or good enough salaries. When these were addressed it still wasn’t enough for these women. They were absolute snobs insisting only they knew how to do it right. …but they were incapable of putting together anything substainable themselves. Many women put their trust in this leadership….and waited. Now many of them along with phf players will be ending their careers.

funny how you buyout the league that does everything wrong. And have been publicly insulted the other league.

no Boston team is ridiculous….when it comes to fans….look at USA hockey registrations…MA is a hotbed along with Minnesota….you need fans….there is a solid base in Boston.

1 league is great.
these women are entitled snobs. Obviously no Boston team so difficult to attend…..but I will not be a fan.

[vicb]

New league must be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Linda Cohen on ESPN Sports Center From LA last night had a 30 sec segment where she just gushed about the new league and the fact that it was being backed by Billie Jean King Enterprises and Mark Walters Group.

[ZedLeppelin]

I agree with the idea that having two women's professional hockey leagues was never going to work. We're still talking about just getting consistent and pro-level media coverage and drawing crowds to games for women's pro hockey in general! Having two pro leagues does nothing but encourage each of them to badmouth the other when negotiating for anything on the business side like media contracts or whatever else. The competion in women's pro hockey should be among teams, not leagues...that's just bad for everyone from top to bottom.

On the fan side, I also agree with the hope that a better name is used for this new unified league. Keep it simple, like Women's Professional Hockey League, or Women's Professional Hockey Association.

[BowWowWow]

I read that PWHPA players are voting on a collective bargaining agreement by around tomorrow night, Sunday. I believe only half or fewer of possible players in the potential league are voting, since the PHF players are outside that organization. Contracted PHF players are now on contract through July 10. According to earlier reports, the PWHPA Secret Dream Gap Tour players have a stipend for the 2022-23 season/promotional activities ($24k) with a non-compete clause that they cannot join another league through Aug. 31.

On the organization of the PWHPA, The Victory Press reporter Zoe Hayden has written in part that “i have reached out to PWHPA specifically about the unionization technicalities.”

Hailey Salvian in The Athletic has quotes from LA Dodgers pres. Stan Kasten saying enthusiastically that “I will tell you, I have had people working on names, working on logos, working on cities, working on venues, working on schedules. We’ve had people preparing and now we gotta go.” The Boston Pride are so recognized and established! Meanwhile Salvian gives them as an example of how teams may not keep their name or site in the acquisition.