All players and staff from the PHF have received a letter outlining details of their severance and what's to come.
All players and staff from the PHF have received a letter outlining details of their severance and what's to come.
Kelly Babstock - Photo by PHF - New Information Emerges On PHF Severances and Next StepsNew information has emerged regarding the PHF's acquisition. The PHF communicated in a letter to all players and staff Friday afternoon with a letter from commissioner Reagan Carey and an FAQ document for players and staff.
Here is the information included:
- All players will be released from their contracts effective on July 10, 2023, which clears the way to pursue a contract with the new league.
- Health insurance benefits will continue for players through September 30, 2023.
- Cash compensation equal to 1/12 of a player's contracted 2023-2024 season salary or $5,000, whichever is greater.
- Eligibility to participate in a $1,000,000 pool of funds reserved for those who do not play in another professional league this coming season (whether in the US, Canada, Europe, or Asia). The minimum payment will be $10,000 per player depending on the total number of players eligible.
- Signing bonuses do not have to be returned.
- With limited exceptions, non-player staff members who currently work for the PHF or one of its teams will be offered substantially similar roles with the new organization. If you are not going to receive an offer, your team leadership will notify you before July 10, 2023.
- This new league’s “single entity” structure means its teams will be owned by the new ownership group and will be managed in a more integrated way.
- The new league will be overseen by a board led by Stan Kasten, president of the LA Dodgers, and Billie Jean King. Reagan Carey and Jayna Hefford will serve in leadership roles for the new league.
- As quoted in the letter, "This is a new entity, so it would be unfair to assume that PWHPA players have an advantage. The level of PHF talent has risen dramatically in the last few years, so we expect a competitive mix of players once the teams are set."
- There was no financial profit for the PHF owners in this sale.
The document also stated "The new league will aim to attract the best women’s hockey players in the world. The new league will build rosters from the ranks of the PHF, PWHPA, and other leagues around the world. Details will be forthcoming in the next 30-60 days."