Third straight year of substantial growth sees a 900 percent increase in salary cap since 2021
BOSTON, MA – (December 14, 2022) – The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced a significant salary cap increase for next season, doubling the amount from $750,000 to $1.5 million per team in 2023-24. Heading into the league’s ninth season, it marks the third annual salary cap raise and represents 900 percent growth since 2021 when the cap was just $150,000 per team.
“This historic salary cap increase reflects the strength of our league and developing business model, and supports an enhanced player experience that over the last year has introduced full healthcare benefits, facility upgrades, league expansion, and a record 84-game schedule,” said Reagan Carey, PHF Commissioner. “We know how dedicated and selfless these players are to building more opportunities for women in sport, and the PHF is committed to prioritizing our support of these talented and skilled players on and off the ice. Players, alumni, staff, coaches, volunteers, partners, ownership, and our passionate fans have all been working towards ensuring full-time professional hockey is a career path for women.
“We will not stop here, and are very proud to continue our track record of establishing new records for women’s professional hockey,” added Carey. “The PHF was the first league to pay its players back in 2015, and our commitment to building the best home for women’s professional hockey requires us to continue leading the way forward. Greater financial opportunities for athletes is part of the new PHF era. We are doing the work, and we are seeing the results.”
On the ice, all seven PHF teams are currently populated by contracts that exceed 75 percent of the $750,000 cap. The league has a record number of Canadian and international players on its rosters and more talent with senior national team experience than ever before. Off the ice, the PHF has generated landmark broadcast and corporate partnerships, the largest sponsorship revenues in its history, and increased digital viewership and engagement on all platforms over the past three seasons. Before the 2022-23 season, the PHF announced a new two-year agreement with ESPN that provides live coverage exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States and international rights for games which includes TSN in Canada. In January, the PHF announced a game-changing $25 million investment by the Board of Governors pledged to direct payments and benefits to players.
About the Premier Hockey Federation
The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and provide opportunities for elite athletes to earn a living playing the game they love while fueling the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, Montreal Force, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. As part of a two-year agreement with ESPN, live coverage of the 2022-23 and 2023-24 PHF seasons is available exclusively on ESPN+ in the United States, and provides international rights for games which includes TSN in Canada. For more information visit premierhockeyfederation.com.
