Restructure… Reimagine… Reignite
The National Women’s Hockey League was founded in 2015 to provide strong female role models and fuel the growth of the game. We are proud of everything the NWHL accomplished through our first five seasons, and we’re excited to share our vision for the future.
Vision
The NWHL aims to create opportunities for women and inspire the next generation of female athletes by advancing the game of women’s hockey.
- We will offer the opportunity for elite women’s players to earn a living playing hockey
- We will provide a powerful platform for our sponsors to reach a valuable audience
- We will deliver an entertainment experience that attracts a broad and loyal fanbase
- We will build a brand that is respected and admired around the world
This will not happen overnight. It will require a sustainable business model, good governance, and strong relationships across the hockey ecosystem. The NHL has been at this nearly a century longer than we have, and achieving what they have achieved will take time. Nonetheless, the League is committed to this vision and is prepared to invest the time, energy, and resources to make it happen.
Values
Integrity is core to the NWHL and we will act with the highest integrity in everything we do. We keep several other values top of mind as we look to the future.
- Run a high integrity league that is professional in all respects
- Maintain our independence while partnering across the hockey ecosystem
- Prioritize players’ salaries, benefits, and experience as revenues accelerate
- Deploy and develop female leaders at all levels across the League
Ownership
The league is moving from its original “single entity” structure (where one investor group owned all the teams and operated the league) to a “joint venture” model (where teams are individually owned and the league operates for the benefit of those teams).
- This model is more scalable as the League seeks expansion opportunities
- It thrives on competition between ownership groups who compete to win
- It supports the development of passionate and supportive fans in local markets
- It facilitates the engagement of premier brands in long term relationships
We believe a model built on local team ownership will be more sustainable over time, and it is important to note that a full transition to local ownership of individual clubs will take time. The founding investor group, NWHL LLC, began divesting teams in 2019 with the objective of entrusting each team to a well-capitalized ownership group that is committed to our shared vision. The full transition could take as long as 5-10 years, and until the transition is complete there may be ownership groups holding more than one club. Eventually, no group will own more than one club.
Governance
The shift to a joint venture ownership model required a new governance structure, and in October 2020 the League adopted its first Constitution and Bylaws to govern its activities going forward.
Though new to the NWHL, this governance structure is not new to the sports world. The League’s Constitution was modeled on the NHL and other major sports leagues. A set of Bylaws ensures fair and competitive play, and an Affiliation Agreement establishes clear expectations between the League and its member teams. Strong governance is fundamental to long term success and provides a solid foundation for future growth.
With new governance came new leadership. An inaugural Board of Governors was formed, consisting of the owners of the Boston Pride, Toronto Six, and representatives of the founding investment group. The Board’s first major decision - and it was a good one - was to hire Tyler Tumminia as NWHL commissioner, succeeding founder Dani Rylan who led the League through its first five seasons. We were ready to plunge into the next chapter of our history.
Looking Ahead
Having restructured our ownership and governance models, Tyler encouraged us to reimagine what Season 6 might look like. She had the audacity to suggest we condense the entire season into a bubble in Lake Placid. We finished 15 games and set new records for viewership, but had to suspend play before the playoffs when Covid penetrated the bubble in spite of strong safety protocols. The championship series was rescheduled and we expect to hoist the Isobel Cup on March 27, 2021, in Boston in front of a national television audience with the support of leading brands. The Isobel Cup Playoffs will reignite growth and propel us forward.
As we look to the future, we see expansion into new markets, and new owners joining the NWHL family. We see exciting partnerships and a path to profitability. We see professional women’s hockey players earning a living playing the game they love. And we see millions of young girls all over the world being inspired to pursue their dreams.
We invite you to help us make this vision a reality.
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