PWHL Players Association releases salaries in bid to promote transparency

In an effort to promote transparency, the PWHL Players Association is disclosing salaries to the public for the first time in the league’s three-season history.

A “Player Salary Guide” quietly went live on the PA’s website on Tuesday morning. The guide provides a snapshot of salaries across the league. Players recently voted to approve the public disclosure of salaries, according to a statement from PWHLPA executive director Malaika Underwood.

“This decision reflects our belief that greater salary transparency gives players clearer information and stronger context in individual negotiations, while also supporting a more transparent and credible marketplace for the league overall,” the statement read. “Given that players had previously approved disclosure among players and agents, and that minimum and average salary figures are already public in the CBA, this is a natural next step.”

In March, The Hockey News published salaries from the 2024-25 season, citing sources “involved in the PWHL.”

“I think that was a bit of a shock for us and not something that we necessarily wanted, or the way we wanted it to come out,” said Montreal forward and president of the players union Laura Stacey. “But with that being said, ultimately at the end of the day, we want the players to be able to push for more and ask for more based on what other people are doing around them.”

The PWHLPA’s decision to fully disclose salaries is a significant step for salary transparency in women’s pro sports.

The WNBA does not publicly disclose individual player salaries, though they are typically available from insiders — such as The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant or ESPN’s Alexa Philippou — or through websites like Spotrac. In the NWSL, some salaries become public — such as Trinity Rodman’s landmark deal with the Washington Spirit signed in January — but comprehensive contract details have been historically more difficult to find.

Since its inaugural season in 2024, the PWHL has had a general salary framework available through the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was ratified ahead of the league’s launch. The league is owned by Mark Walter — the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers — and his wife, Kimbra.

According to the CBA, the league minimum salary for the 2025-26 season is $37,131.50, which is up from $35,000 in 2024. Each year the minimum base salary will increase by 3 percent, meaning that next season’s minimum will be $38,245.45.

There are no maximum salaries in the CBA and there is no traditional salary cap. Instead, each team’s average salary needs to hit a certain mark — in 2025-26 that was $58,349.50, a figure that will increase to $60,099.99 in 2026-27.

According to the salary guide, 10 players made at least $100,000 in 2025-26. Ottawa forward Emily Clark was the PWHL’s highest paid player ($126,090) followed by New York star forward Sarah Fillier ($125,000).

However, there is a sizable difference between the highest-paid players and the larger player pool, with 17 players making league minimum and dozens of players making $40,000 or less. That kind of salary gap was one of the biggest issues raised by players in The Athletic’s PWHL Player Poll earlier this year.

“We need better pay for more of the league, and an increased salary cap would help,” said one player. “Some players are paid great, but we have teammates making league minimum, and it’s tough.”

Wage increases will certainly be on the PA’s wish list when the current CBA expires in 2031. Whether there will be an opportunity to renegotiate any terms before then remains to be seen, but salary transparency could help shape future negotiations whenever they may come.

Public sentiment about low salaries in other women’s leagues has helped push for better pay, most recently in the WNBA. That superstar Caitlin Clark made less than $80,000 became a point of national debate and – along with a broader increase in the league’s popularity – resulted in the WNBAPA opting out of its existing collective bargaining agreement. WNBA players ratified a landmark seven-year CBA in March, and now women’s basketball players in the U.S. can make more than $1 million for the first time in the league’s history.

Last April, Underwood said in an interview with The Athletic that the PA will be ready for an opportunity to make improvements for players.

“Should things continue to grow and expand and be as successful as they have been in the first two seasons, we’ll be ready whenever it’s time to open up the CBA,” she said. “Whether that’s soon or at the end of the current term.”

The PWHL just completed its third season, with historic growth in attendance surpassing one million fans in attendance for the first time in a single season. Soon, the league will welcome four new franchises in Detroit, Las Vegas, Hamilton, Ont., and San Jose, Calif., which will increase its size to 12 teams spread more widely across North America.