Fans and players have had mixed reactions in the 12 hours since the acquisition of the PHF was announced.
Fans and players have had mixed reactions in the 12 hours since the acquisition of the PHF was announced.
Following the news of the PHF being acquired by Mark Walter and Billie Jean King Enterprises, players and fans took to social media reacting to the news. No official statements have been made from the PWHPA, PHF, Mark Walter, or Billie Jean King Enterprises.
Two of the first players to speak from the PHF were two of the longest tenured professional women's hockey players in the sport.
As Packer states, some are excited for one league where the best from the PHF, PWHPA, and Europe can combine forces. As Turner points out, however, the plans and lives of many families will be hurt by lost wages and being uprooted.
Media and fans also responded with anger, confusion, and empathy for the impact on players.
The largest ongoing concern is that players, neither in the PWHPA nor PHF were informed any conversation was ongoing, and had no input. Concern also remains surrounding the potential to shrink from 11 teams worth of players, to six.
The impact of the move also has ramifications for agents whose compensation was based on player salaries of now voided contracts, and media who were covering women's hockey in cities that are now rumored to not be in the future plans for a new league.