The PWHL, in its fourth season, has secured its first season-long U.S. national broadcast agreement with Scripps Sports, as announced by the women’s hockey league. Scripps previously broadcasted select regular-season games and the entire Walter Cup Finals playoff series last season. The new deal will expand the league’s reach to over 128 million U.S. households, broadcasting games on ION, Scripps’ national sports and entertainment network.
Under the agreement, Scripps will produce and air a game every Saturday on ION, available on various platforms including over-the-air, connected TV, streaming services, and pay television. Additionally, Scripps Sports Network will broadcast two national games weekly on platforms such as Roku, Prime Video, Fire TV, Google TV Freeplay, and Tubi. Local broadcast rights for the two upcoming expansion teams will be held by Scripps television affiliates in Detroit and Las Vegas.
Amy Scheer, PWHL’s executive vice president of business operations, expressed that having a season-long national television presence in the U.S. signifies a significant milestone in the league’s growth. While the league is yet to release its schedule, the season is anticipated to commence in late November. PWHL games will also be live-streamed on its YouTube channel globally, except in Canada, where the league has existing broadcast affiliations like CBC Sports.
The collaboration with Scripps stemmed from a meeting during the Winter Games in Milan, where network executives were hosted by the league. This partnership follows the success of women’s hockey in the U.S., highlighted by the American team’s third Olympic gold medal victory against Canada. The PWHL, which has doubled in size since its 2024 inception, now comprises 12 teams, including new franchises in San Jose, California, and Hamilton, Ontario, totaling seven teams in the U.S. and five in Canada.
Scripps, known for its commitment to women’s sports, already has broadcast agreements with WNBA, NWSL, and the Women’s TMRW Golf League. Scripps Sports president Brian Lawlor emphasized ION as a premier platform for women’s sports, providing athletes with exposure on a grand stage and fans with a platform to support their favorite teams. Additionally, Scripps’ affiliates hold broadcasting rights for various NHL teams, including Florida and Las Vegas, the NBA’s Detroit Pistons, and the NCAA’s Big Sky Conference.