On June 11, the PWHPA sent an email updating members about arena visits, CBA negotiations, timelines, and claimed "We are at the finish line."

In a letter sent by Jayna Hefford, the PWHPA’s lead consultant, to current and prospective PWHPA players on June 11, Hefford wrote to players, “we are at the finish line.”

According to the letter, the PWHPA’s Bargaining Committee is in the final stages of completing a Collective Bargaining Agreement, Standard Players Agreement, and Group Commercial Licensing Agreement.

Hefford also stated “we have been conducting arena visits with representatives from the League ownership group in markets in Canada and the U.S. to ensure we are well positioned for the launch.”

In April of 2022 the PWHPA told players they would announce the launch of their official league during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The PWHPA did not meet that deadline, and with the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs completed, the delays have been a topic of discussion. Hefford acknowledged the length of this process with players in her email.

“We know that this has taken much longer than we all had hoped, and we deeply appreciate your patience,” she wrote.

“The legal work on the documents has not stopped any of us—both the Union and the League—from continuing to move forward toward our anticipated fall start of the pre-season.”

Hefford also claimed the league is working to “firm up details about health insurance and other critical aspects of hockey operations issues.”

The email ended with messages of hope for players with Hefford saying “We’re almost there!” and that “We are on the cusp of a historic time for our sport.”

No particular dates or timelines we given for a future announcement, with Hefford telling players to “keep an eye on your inbox for more exciting updates to come soon.”

The PWHPA formed in 2019 following the dissolution of the CWHL. Since then, the CWHL's rival league, the former NWHL, rebranded and found new leadership for the new PHF, which this year expanded their salary to $1.5 million per team.

The PHF has expanded to Toronto and Montreal in recent seasons, and plans more expansion in the future.

Earlier this spring, contract details binding current PWHPA members to the league were provided to The Hockey News showing that all players are under contract until August 31 of this year, and any player who commits to sign, or signs away from the league would be in breach of that contract and not be paid the remainder of the $24,000 compensation for what the PWHPA and PWHL Holdings LLC called a “promotional period.”

According to that document, the PWHL intends to launch their "Inaugural Season" in the Fall of 2023, ending in the Spring of 2024 "dependent on, among other factors, if we are able to secure agreements on terms acceptable to us for (i) the promotional and playing services of a sufficient number of elite players, (ii) all necessary playing and practice facilities and coaching, training, medical and other necessary services and support, and (iii) a sufficient number of sponsorships and telecast exposures."

The current negotiating partners with players in the PWHPA are Billie Jean King Enterprises and The Mark Walter Group.