In an effort to promote transparency, the Professional Women\u2019s Hockey League Players Association is disclosing salaries to the public for the first time in the league\u2019s three-season history.<\/p>\n
A \u201cPlayer Salary Guide\u201d quietly went live on the PA\u2019s website<\/a> on Tuesday morning. The guide provides a snapshot of salaries across the league. Players recently voted to approve the public disclosure of salaries, according to a statement from PWHLPA executive director Malaika Underwood.<\/p>\n \u201cThis decision reflects our belief that greater salary transparency gives players clearer information and stronger context in individual negotiations, while also supporting a more transparent and credible marketplace for the league overall,\u201d the statement read. \u201cGiven that players had previously approved disclosure among players and agents, and that minimum and average salary figures are already public in the CBA, this is a natural next step.\u201d<\/p>\n In March, The Hockey News published salaries from the 2024-25 season, citing sources \u201cinvolved in the PWHL.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that was a bit of a shock for us and not something that we necessarily wanted or the way we wanted it to come out,\u201d said Montreal Victoire forward and president of the players union Laura Stacey. \u201cBut with that being said, ultimately, at the end of the day, we want the players to be able to push for more and ask for more based on what other people are doing around them.\u201d<\/p>\n The PWHLPA\u2019s decision to fully disclose salaries is a significant step for salary transparency in women\u2019s pro sports.<\/p>\n The WNBA does not publicly disclose individual player salaries, though they are typically available from insiders \u2014 such as The Athletic\u2019s Sabreena Merchant or ESPN\u2019s Alexa Philippou \u2014 or through websites like Spotrac. In the NWSL, some salaries become public \u2014 such as Trinity Rodman\u2019s landmark deal with the Washington Spirit signed in January \u2014 but comprehensive contract details have historically been more difficult to find.<\/p>\n Since its inaugural season in 2024, the PWHL has had a general salary framework available through the collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified ahead of the league\u2019s launch. The league is owned by Mark Walter \u2014 the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers \u2014 and his wife, Kimbra.<\/p>\n According to the CBA, the league minimum salary for the 2025-26 season is $37,131.50, which is up from $35,000 in 2024. Each year, the minimum base salary will increase by 3 percent, meaning that next season\u2019s minimum will be $38,245.45.<\/p>\n There are no maximum salaries in the CBA, and there is no traditional salary cap. Instead, each team\u2019s average salary needs to hit a certain mark \u2014 in 2025-26 that was $58,349.50, a figure that will increase to $60,099.99 in 2026-27.<\/p>\n According to the salary guide, 10 players made at least $100,000 in 2025-26. Ottawa Charge forward Emily Clark was the PWHL\u2019s highest-paid player ($126,090), followed by New York Sirens star forward Sarah Fillier ($125,000).<\/p>\n However, there is a sizable difference between the highest-paid players and the larger player pool, with 17 players making league minimum and dozens making $40,000 or less. That kind of salary gap was one of the biggest issues raised by players in The Athletic\u2019s PWHL player poll earlier this year.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need better pay for more of the league, and an increased salary cap would help,\u201d one player said. \u201cSome players are paid great, but we have teammates making league minimum, and it\u2019s tough.\u201d<\/p>\n Wage increases will certainly be on the PA\u2019s wish list when the current CBA expires in 2031. Whether there will be an opportunity to renegotiate any terms before then remains to be seen, but salary transparency could help shape future negotiations.<\/p>\n Public sentiment about low salaries in other women\u2019s leagues has helped push for better pay, most recently in the WNBA. That superstar Caitlin Clark made less than $80,000 became a point of national debate and \u2014 along with a broader increase in the league\u2019s popularity \u2014 resulted in the WNBPA opting out of its existing CBA. WNBA players ratified a landmark seven-year CBA in March, and now women\u2019s basketball players in the U.S. can make more than $1 million for the first time in the league\u2019s history.<\/p>\n