The U.S. women's national hockey team last night agreed to a four-year contract with USA Hockey to "avert a threatened boycott" of the IIHF World Championship, which begins Friday in Michigan. The players will make "around $70,000 each per year, although they could make more than $100,000 in Olympic years if they win gold." The deal also includes the "formation of a Women's High Performance Advisory Group that will contain former and current members of the women's national team," offering "advice in helping USA Hockey advance girls and women's hockey" (USA TODAY, 3/29).
Billie Jean King tweeted, "Really glad things came together for @usahockey & the US Women's National Team. Right decision & best team is now representing our nation." The CBC's Cassie Campbell: "Congrats to @usahockey and their women's team. ... I know the game will continue to grow in the right direction." Sports writer Jessica Luther: "I'm struck by what the US women's hockey team has done but more so that they had to do it at all. Title IX is nearly 45 years old." TSN Radio's Steve Warne: "USA Hockey has been acting poorly toward its women's team for a very long time."
Several members of the women's team tweeted out this video message:
