

In a decision meant to help its members advocate for themselves in contract negotiations, the PWHL Players Association has voted to disclose salaries for the first time in the league’s two-season history, PWHLPA executive director Malaika Underwood told The Athletic.
An “overwhelming majority” of players voted in favor of the change over a 10-day period that ended late last week.
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“I’m proud of the players,” Underwood said. “It’s a huge step in the right direction in terms of transparency.”
The timing of the move is particularly crucial due to the league’s pre-expansion-draft signing window that opens on Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET. During the signing period, all unprotected players and free agents can negotiate with the PWHL’s two new franchises in Vancouver and Seattle. A general free agency period is expected to be sometime after the entry draft on June 24.
The decision to allow for the disclosure of players salaries will give each individual player more information and agency in their negotiations with teams.
“This will be a tool for players as they consider opportunities across the league,” said Underwood.
The PWHL just completed its second season, with the Minnesota Frost winning back-to-back Walter Cup championships. In the first two seasons, no player salaries were made public.
Many of the league’s elite players signed three-year contracts paying them at least $80,000 with their chosen team before the league’s inaugural draft. According to the collective bargaining agreement, the 2025-26 salary cap will be $1.34 million, with minimum salaries set at $37,131.50. Each team’s average salary will need to be $58,349.50 to be cap compliant.
The Players Association won’t be publishing a public salary database at this time, but will provide the information upon request. For now, Underwood said, the focus is on supporting the players and providing them with the tools needed to advocate for themselves at the negotiating table.
“From the start the PWHL has been a progressive, athlete driven league,” said Underwood. “And allowing for salary disclosure was a decision the players made with that in mind.”
(Photo: Mark Blinch / Getty Images)
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