Kilmer Sports Ventures, the investment vehicle of Toronto businessman Larry Tanenbaum, has teamed up with Detroit’s Ilitch Companies to become the first external backers of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). The partnership brings a direct US$100 million infusion into the league, marking a watershed moment for women’s professional hockey.
Both firms will assume advisory positions on the PWHL’s governance board, leveraging their extensive sports‑management experience to help the circuit accelerate its growth trajectory. The league, which launched in 2023 with seed capital from the Mark Walter Group, has already swelled to twelve franchises and is poised for its most ambitious season yet in 2026‑27.
A Milestone for Women’s Professional Hockey
Tanenbaum, who also founded the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo and holds a minority stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, said the investment reflects a broader commitment to elevating women’s sport. “Supporting the PWHL is about more than competition; it’s about building a sustainable platform that inspires the next generation,” he remarked.
Chris Ilitch, chief executive of Ilitch Companies, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the league’s rising sponsorship deals, a 35 percent year‑over‑year jump in merchandise sales and more than 682 million social‑media impressions. “The momentum we’re seeing is unprecedented,” he said, pointing to the group’s portfolio of NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and MLB’s Detroit Tigers as a springboard for cross‑promotional opportunities.
The financial boost arrives as the PWHL eyes a permanent performance centre at Toronto’s Exhibition Place, slated for completion in 2028, while the Tempo and the City of Toronto plan a dedicated training facility. With a 50 percent surge in e‑commerce merchandise revenue and a expanding global broadcast footprint, the league is positioning itself as a flagship property for gender‑equitable sports investment.