PWHL Players Association votes to disclose salaries: Why they made the decision
An "overwhelming majority" of PWHL players voted in favor of the change over a 10-day period that ended late last week.
www.nytimes.comHere are the latest publicly reported notes on PWHL salaries:
- A CBC report from May 26, 2026, confirms that there is no league-wide salary cap and that teams must meet a collective average base salary with some flexibility for new signings; it also notes that the highest earner last season was Emily Clark at about $126,090 USD, highlighting wide disparities among players. The article also mentions ongoing expansion and growing salary discussions as part of the league’s income shift post-expansion.[2]
- The Hockey News provided a detailed 2024-25 salaries snapshot, noting that while the league average rose in expansion years, a large portion of players earned well below the average and that many players still earned six figures, with some above that level; specific numbers vary by roster and season, and a disclosure practice has evolved over time.[3]
- The Hockey News also reported in 2025 on salary growth during the expansion year, including notes on minimum salaries rising and staff salaries (GMs and head coaches) in a similar range, suggesting expansion freed salary space for players and that trajectory could continue.[1]
- A NY Times piece in May 2025 covered the Players Association vote to disclose salaries, signaling a push toward transparency, while discussing how the move could affect negotiations and public understanding of player compensation.[5]
- In April 2026, CBC highlighted fan interest and compared PWHL salaries to broader professional landscapes, again noting the league-wide collective average and the lack of a formal salary cap, with ongoing concerns about disparity and sustainability.[4]
- A NY Times follow-up in May 2026 documented the PWHL Players Association releasing salary data to promote transparency, marking a concrete step in making individual player compensation public and potentially influencing further bargaining positions.[10]
Notes and context:
- The PWHL operates with a collective agreement through 2031 that sets annual increases (roughly 3% per year) and a target average salary, but no hard cap on team payroll; salary figures can be uneven across teams and players, with many earning well below the league average.[2]
- Expansion years have been associated with higher salaries for some players as teams reallocate budgets, while overall averages and minimums have trended upward but remain modest relative to men’s leagues or other pro sports.[1][3]
- Public disclosure of salaries began as a players’ association-led effort and has continued to evolve, increasing transparency but also highlighting disparities within the league.[5][10]
Would you like a concise table summarizing typical ranges by season or a brief explainer on how the PWHL salary structure compares to other leagues? I can also pull a few representative examples of disclosed figures if you’d like.