The Premier Hockey Federation, in partnership with the PHF Players’ Association, officially announced the details of the league’s salary disclosure policy on Thursday morning, setting new parameters around player contracts running into the upcoming 2022-23 season.
According to the official release, this new policy gives players the option to allow the team they are signing with or the PHF itself to either publicly disclose their salary or keep that information private if they so choose.
The PHF had previously announced a record $750,000 salary cap for each team, while also allowing players to sign two-year deals for the first time ever.
“This is another important step forward in the PHF’s growth and development and reflects the collaboration we value between League leadership, our athletes, the Players’ Association, the Board of Governors, and General Managers,” PHF commissioner Reagan Carey said in a statement on Thursday.
“The PHF’s new era is driven by our commitment to provide enhanced professional opportunities for women’s hockey players that includes historic salary cap increases. We are excited to add another layer of growth and transparency to our League operations and to continue to prioritize player autonomy. This policy supports all athletes equally and without any pressure or influence towards those who may choose to disclose their salaries, or anybody who may feel that confidentiality is in their best interest.”
This new policy coincides with the PHF’s growing economic capabilities heading into the upcoming season, with the league’s salary cap rising to a record $750,000 per club, and players now being eligible to sign two-year contracts and include signing bonuses in any future deals.
“The Players’ Association goals are centered on our core values of educating, empowering, and advocating for PHF athletes,” said PHF Players’ Association Executive Director, Nicole Corriero.
“We thoroughly discussed this issue among our player reps to canvas all potential benefits and drawbacks from the player’s perspective, and are encouraged by the collaborative process with Reagan and the League that led to this outcome. Transparency of salaries can help set industry benchmarks and assist others with their own negotiation process, however, every player’s experience and circumstance is unique, and it is understood and appreciated that not everyone wants nor benefits from disclosing personal information. We wanted to work with the League on a policy that encourages and respects both of these mutually important considerations, and we’re pleased that the result of our collaboration provides options that may benefit all.”
With the financial landscape of the league set to change and allow new talent to filter in, this coming season is shaping up to be a good one for the PHF.
