Players last year were frustrated that there was no post-Olympic tour after winning the Gold MedalGETTY IMAGES
There has "never been a better time to be a member" of the U.S. women's national hockey team, but halfway through the labor contract with USA Hockey signed in March '17, its players "wonder whether the future of their sport is as bright as the present," according to Seth Berkman of the N.Y. TIMES. Although the American players "negotiated gains in salary and travel and medical benefits two years ago, the 'groundbreaking support' for girls and women's hockey promised by USA Hockey in the contract has been slow to develop." After winning the Gold Medal at the '18 Pyeongchang Games, the U.S. women's players were "frustrated that there were no plans for a post-Olympic exhibition tour." Due to the "talent disparity between North American teams and the rest of the world, there are not many viable opponents for the Americans, and Canada's cooperation is necessary." But other avenues to "increase exposure do not need Canadian co-signs, like merchandising." Nike, the official apparel supplier of USA Hockey, "does not sell jerseys of American women's players or products specifically featuring female players" and neither does USA Hockey's online store. American players "handle much of their promotion themselves." Despite "repeated requests from athletes, USA Hockey has not created social medial channels dedicated solely to the women’s team, as U.S. Soccer has"(N.Y. TIMES, 4/4).
READY OR NOT? The CP's Donna Spencer noted calls for one women's pro hockey league in North America have "grown in volume over the last year," and the CWHL's dissolution "opens that door, but is women's hockey ready [to] walk through it?" Gold Medal-winning U.S. F Hilary Knight said, "It's no secret that resources were getting dispersed between two leagues." Spencer noted the NWHL "declared its interest in the Toronto and Montreal markets." But the GMs from the six CWHL clubs jointly in a statement said there are "currently no negotiations occurring between any former CWHL teams and the NWHL" (CP, 4/3).
