Women's hockey league adds first two investors

The women's hockey league announced Monday that Detroit-based Ilitch Companies and Toronto-based Kilmer Sports Ventures have become its first two outside investors. The two ownership groups bring financial resources, business connections and sports management experience to a 12-team league that has doubled in size since its founding in June 2023.

Investor roles and structure Existing centralized operations will continue under founder and primary backer Mark Walter and his advisory board. The new partners will supply additional expertise and relationships, the league said. "This is the clearest signal of validation to the marketplace, to the players, to other owners, to media companies that we are cementing our reputation as one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the world," PWHL advisory board member Stan Kasten told The Associated Press.

Growth and expansion The league reported gains across multiple metrics last season and added four new teams last month in Detroit, Las Vegas, San Jose and Hamilton, Ontario. Average attendance rose 28 percent to 9,304 per game, and corporate partnerships increased to 81 from just over 50 the prior year.

"The reception of fans, of sponsors and other willing partners has allowed us to go faster," Kasten said.

Player compensation Current player salaries will remain unchanged for now.

The league has not yet recorded a profit on the hundreds of millions of dollars already invested, Kasten said. Last season, 10 of 194 players earned more than $100,000 while the minimum salary stood at just over $37,000, according to the players association.