PWHL Players Start Fourth Season With Higher Floors and Bigger Rosters
The league and union agreed to raise minimum salaries to $42,000 and add a 24th active spot per team as the league expands to twelve franchises.
By Owen Turner ·
The Professional Women's Hockey League and the PWHL Players Association announced an agreement on Thursday that raises minimum salaries and expands team rosters ahead of the fourth season.
The minimum annual base salary will be $42,000 for the upcoming campaign, an increase from approximately $38,000 last year. The contract structure includes a jump to $45,000 for the following year. Salaries will then rise by $2,500 annually for the next three years, reaching a peak of $52,500 in the 2030-31 season. These figures exceed the 3% annual increase originally negotiated when the league launched with six teams in July 2023.
Team active rosters will grow to 24 players. This change adds 104 new roster spots across the league compared to the previous season. The expansion coincides with the PWHL adding four new franchises, bringing the total number of teams to 12.
The league and the players union stated in a joint release that they remain committed to advancing player opportunities and compensation. The agreement also modifies how teams manage depth. The previous rule allowing teams to carry up to three reserve players is being removed. Teams can now sign players to one-game standard contracts in addition to existing 10-day standard contracts.
The fourth season begins on Dec. 5. Training camps are scheduled to open on Nov. 18.
Source: WHDH
