The Professional Women’s Hockey League is set to reach a wider audience in the United States through national television broadcasts. The league has confirmed that the upcoming neutral-site game on March 28 in Detroit between the New York Sirens and Montreal Victoire will be televised nationally on ION, a channel available in 126 million American households. This marks a significant milestone for the PWHL and could potentially lead to a long-term partnership with Scripps Sports.
Scripps Sports, known for broadcasting women’s sports such as the WNBA and NWSL, has previously aired PWHL games in its NHL TV markets. The agreement for the national broadcast also involves Ally Financial, the primary sponsor of the “Takeover Tour” game in Detroit, which has been a strong supporter of women’s sports, including the NWSL.
Amy Scheer, the PWHL’s executive VP of business operations, expressed excitement about the historic national broadcast, emphasizing the league’s commitment to expanding its reach and attracting new fans. The broadcast deal comes at a time when women’s hockey is experiencing increased interest following the recent gold-medal victory by the U.S. team at the Milan Cortina Games.
The partnership with Scripps has been in the works for several years, with discussions intensifying during the recent events in Milan. Both parties are optimistic about the potential for a long-term collaboration to bring more PWHL games to a broader audience in the U.S.
Brian Lawlor, president of Scripps Sports, highlighted the growing attention on women’s hockey and expressed a desire to build on the current momentum. He drew parallels to the WNBA’s rise in popularity with the emergence of key players, signaling a similar opportunity for women’s hockey.
While the PWHL already has national broadcast partners in Canada, it has primarily relied on local affiliates for coverage in the U.S. With plans to expand the league and potentially add more teams, there is hope for Scripps to become the league’s official U.S. broadcaster in the future.
The PWHL’s recent success post-Olympics has been evident with sold-out games and record attendance numbers, showcasing the growing interest in women’s professional hockey. Ally Financial’s commitment to supporting women’s sports has been instrumental in driving visibility and investment in leagues such as the NWSL, setting the stage for more opportunities in women’s sports.
Overall, the partnership between the PWHL, Scripps Sports, and Ally Financial represents a significant step forward in promoting women’s hockey and furthering the growth of women’s sports on a national scale.