Karine Hains: It's Time I don’t know if you’ve been watching the Women’s World Championships, but if you haven’t, you missed quite a good show.

hihihi.

having a women's hockey team in the NHL's orignal six cities is a terrible idea, and it makes me very mad.

-mr.peanut

not opposed to a WNHL, am opposed to the men, once again, having to pay for the supposed strong independent women. If not for the NBA the WNBA would have folded long ago, sadly ppl, both men and women, are not that interested in most womens sports.

women don't need no man until you needs the mans money uh.

Karine
Hains: It's Time
I don’t know if you’ve been watching the Women’s World Championships, but if you haven’t, you missed quite a good show.
- Karine Hains

I'm not surprised that a Woman's hockey league in North America has not had success, not because of the product, but (as you said) lack of support via partners and stakeholders.

You would think that if the NHL wanted to grow the game more, specifically in the US, that becoming a partner in a female hockey league might attract a wider and more diverse audience for hockey as a whole.

Maybe their numbers / studies say something different or maybe the owners do not want to fund a league that will probably lose money for several years, until it catches hold.

Perhaps a partnership between the NHL and the NHLPA could work here, though.

Who knows.

I do think a league can work, and be successful (ie: financially viable, while letting female hockey players only focus on hockey for a living), if there is partnerships - at the ownership, investment and media levels.

not opposed to a WNHL, am opposed to the men, once again, having to pay for the supposed strong independent women. If not for the NBA the WNBA would have folded long ago, sadly ppl, both men and women, are not that interested in most womens sports.

women don't need no man until you needs the mans money uh.
- Mithos

sorry but this almost sounds like an incel comment lol

not opposed to a WNHL, am opposed to the men, once again, having to pay for the supposed strong independent women. If not for the NBA the WNBA would have folded long ago, sadly ppl, both men and women, are not that interested in most womens sports.

women don't need no man until you needs the mans money uh.
- Mithos

Texas called.

They want you to come home.

- Takemedrunkimhome

not fond of the subject matter?

Texas called.

They want you to come home.
- Mashadar

maybe he owns an NHL team, it sounds like the money would be coming out of his own pockets.

maybe he owns an NHL team, it sounds like the money would be coming out of his own pockets.
- Pat1993

I don't get some people, but whatever...

Or.... how about....

The 50s called.

They want you to buy a DeLorean and time travel home.

not fond of the subject matter?
- Pat1993

That's not it at all. Far from it. However, I'm not fond of the tired, repetitive comments it's likely to draw.

There is a fair and deep discussion that could be had on the matter as it's far from black and white...but my guess is the thread draws some interesting opinions

That's not it at all. Far from it. However, I'm not fond of the tired, repetitive comments it's likely to draw.

There is a fair and deep discussion that could be had on the matter as it's far from black and white...but my guess is the thread draws some interesting opinions
- Takemedrunkimhome

yeah, with the #metoo movement and its ensuing consequences (it was necessary and it did a lot of good, but there were many exaggerations as well) it's as if the pendulum is swinging back a little the other way again. I guess I was naive to think we would be able to have this conversation without necessarily delving into things like sexism and gender conflicts.

I caught myself complaining of some bad plays they made which is a good sign…

I never complain about something I have no interest in…

The biggest issue I see is marketing. It would be nice and worthwhile for the NHL to generate revenue for a women’s league. But I would like to see some savvy entrepreneurial women identify markets that sponsors want to be in and try to build teams in those markets. That way the women would have a big part in directing and implementing the creation of a league.

The biggest issue I see is marketing. It would be nice and worthwhile for the NHL to generate revenue for a women’s league. But I would like to see some savvy entrepreneurial women identify markets that sponsors want to be in and try to build teams in those markets. That way the women would have a big part in directing and implementing the creation of a league.
- Minnyhock

Fair enough.

But even if the NHL just put their marketing power behind whatever marketing plan the woman's league came up with, I think that would help tremendously.

At the very least, the NHL has a reach and an audience that would be receptive to the message.

Marie-Philip Poulin is an absolute legend

not opposed to a WNHL, am opposed to the men, once again, having to pay for the supposed strong independent women. If not for the NBA the WNBA would have folded long ago, sadly ppl, both men and women, are not that interested in most womens sports.

women don't need no man until you needs the mans money uh.
- Mithos

How's life in the 1950's?

not opposed to a WNHL, am opposed to the men, once again, having to pay for the supposed strong independent women. If not for the NBA the WNBA would have folded long ago, sadly ppl, both men and women, are not that interested in most womens sports.

women don't need no man until you needs the mans money uh.
- Mithos

Sexist Swine.

Fair enough.

But even if the NHL just put their marketing power behind whatever marketing plan the woman's league came up with, I think that would help tremendously.

At the very least, the NHL has a reach and an audience that would be receptive to the message.
- Mashadar

Are there enough people who believe in a women's league willing to lose money to get a league even up and running? Make no mistake. They are going to lose money until they can build an audience. That will take years. Look at the WNBA for instance. Even with a TV contract, NBA ownership, a more established fanbase and a much larger known talent pool, it took them years to become a viable league. MLS was in the same boat.

A women's league may be viable but I am not sure the timing is right atm. Though, women's hockey is starting to become more popular at the NCAA level in some areas of the states.

Marie-Philip Poulin is an absolute legend
- stinger67

I still want to know which US player started the break out for them by just throwing the puck around the boards. I groaned when I saw that. Its a bad play 5 v 5. 3 v 3? its a death blow.

Marie-Philip Poulin is an absolute legend
- stinger67

she surely is.
#10 Fillier is only 20 or 21, she'll be good.

Fair enough.

But even if the NHL just put their marketing power behind whatever marketing plan the woman's league came up with, I think that would help tremendously.

At the very least, the NHL has a reach and an audience that would be receptive to the message.
- Mashadar

We agree. I would like to see those women entrepreneurs collaborating with the NHL and their financial muscle. I just want the women to have a voice and wield some power since it’s their league. One thing I would like to see is those star players from the USA and Canada interacting with the girl youth hockey players in the community. I think they would excel at that and grow the game in the community.

Are there enough people who believe in a women's league willing to lose money to get a league even up and running? Make no mistake. They are going to lose money until they can build an audience. That will take years. Look at the WNBA for instance. Even with a TV contract, NBA ownership, a more established fanbase and a much larger known talent pool, it took them years to become a viable league. MLS was in the same boat.

A women's league may be viable but I am not sure the timing is right atm. Though, women's hockey is starting to become more popular at the NCAA level in some areas of the states.
- Gramps28

The WNBA got that way because the NBA supported them - financially and marketing wise and helped them get TV contracts. Also, seeing more female collage hoops tournaments helped viewers see potential stars on the rise.

a WNHL type league will have a long haul unless they get similar support and exposure - from the NCAA to a professional league.

[quote=Gramps28]Are there enough people who believe in a women's league willing to lose money to get a league even up and running? Make no mistake. They are going to lose money until they can build an audience.

That’s the whole thing right there. My recollection is the WNBA didn’t have respect or credibility in the beginning. Think it was Barkley who said, “ I don’t watch women’s basketball, it’s a joke.”