Immediate plans for the Pride include more youth hockey initiatives and hiring a team presidentGETTY IMAGES
The NWHL Boston Pride will be the "only independently owned and operated" team in the league during the '19-20 season after Cannon Capital Managing Partner Miles Arnone "acquired the team" right before the start of the season, according to Marisa Ingemi of the BOSTON HERALD. Last season, the Buffalo Beauts were operated by Pegula Sports & Entertainment but were "sold back to the NWHL during the summer, giving the league control of all five teams." Arnone "purchased the Pride through facilitation from The Sports Advisory Group." He also is "invested with the company Chipwich," which became an NWHL sponsor this season, and had "been in talks with the league as far back as the end of last season." Immediate plans for the Pride "include more youth hockey initiatives, hiring a team president, increased marketing, and upgraded travel arrangements and player accommodations." The partnership the Pride announced with the Bruins last season "remains intact, with hopes of expanding" (BOSTON HERALD, 9/17). ESPN.com's Emily Kaplan writes the purchase is a "significant step for the NWHL, which is aiming for sustainability as many of the sport's top stars have opted to sit out this season." Arnone said that the boycotting players "did not deter him from getting involved" (ESPN.com, 9/17).
