The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) announced on Monday that Ilitch Companies and Canada-based Kilmer Sports Ventures have recently been named strategic partners of the league.
The move marks a significant investment in the league — and its first outside investors — at a time when the PWHL is picking up significant momentum heading into its third season, which will welcome four new teams including in Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose.
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“The PWHL’s rise has been one of the most compelling stories in professional sports, and we are proud to be part of that story,” said Chris Ilitch, CEO of Ilitch Companies, in a news release. “Investing in the PWHL means an opportunity to broaden the game’s reach, connect with new fans, and create pathways for athletes for generations to come.”
Since its launch in 2023, the league has grown its sponsorship portfolio by 35% and increased online merch sales by more than 50% year-over-year, according to the PWHL.
Kilmer Sports Ventures, the sports and entertainment division of Toronto-based investment firm Kilmer Group, has also made recent investments into the Tempo — Canada’s first WNBA franchise — and the French professional football club, AS Saint-Étienne.
“Hockey is in our DNA as Canadians, and that passion brought us to the PWHL as its first Canadian investor,” said Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures and one of Canada’s most prominent sports investors, according to the PWHL. “Building world-class women’s sports organizations that inspire the next generation of athletes, fans, and leaders is how you create something that truly lasts...”
Mark and Kimbra Walter, whose initial investment helped launch the PWHL, will continue to oversee league operations alongside the PWHL Advisory Board.
With the edition of the four new teams, the 2026-27 season will be comprised of 12 teams in total: Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver, Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas and San Jose.