The PWHL has entered its fourth season with a new season-long U.S. national broadcast deal with Scripps Sports. This agreement expands on Scripps’ previous broadcasting of select regular-season games and the entire Walter Cup Finals playoff series. The deal allows the PWHL to reach over 128 million U.S. households through airing games on ION, Scripps’ national sports and entertainment network.
Scripps will produce and air a game every Saturday on ION, available on various platforms such as over-the-air, connected TV, streaming services, and pay television. Additionally, the Scripps Sports Network will broadcast two national games weekly on platforms like Roku, Prime Video, Fire TV, Google TV Freeplay, and Tubi. Scripps affiliates in Detroit and Las Vegas will have local broadcasting rights for the two new expansion teams.
Amy Scheer, the PWHL executive vice-president of business operations, expressed excitement about the league’s national television presence in the U.S., highlighting it as a significant step in the league’s growth. The PWHL is yet to release its schedule but is expected to kick off its season in late November. The league will continue to livestream its games on its YouTube channel globally, except in Canada where it has existing broadcast partnerships with CBC Sports.
The collaboration between PWHL and Scripps began during the Winter Games in Milan, where network executives were hosted by the league. The partnership reflects the momentum of women’s hockey in the U.S. following the American team’s third Olympic gold medal win against Canada. The PWHL has expanded to 12 teams, adding four new teams including those in San Jose, California, and Hamilton, Ontario, now totaling seven teams in the U.S. and five in Canada.
Scripps, already involved in women’s sports with deals in place with WNBA, NWSL, and Women’s TMRW Golf League, sees the partnership as a way to showcase women’s sports on a grand stage. Scripps Sports president Brian Lawlor emphasized ION as the premier destination for women’s sports, showcasing talent and engaging fans. Scripps affiliates also have broadcasting rights for various NHL teams, the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, and the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference.