The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced Tuesday that Kilmer Sports Ventures and Ilitch Companies have entered as the league’s first outside investors, a move that signals a new phase of growth for the circuit that debuted in 2023.
A New Investment Era
Kilmer Sports Ventures, headed by businessman Larry Tanenbaum, brings a track record of expanding women’s basketball, most recently securing a $50 million expansion fee to launch the Toronto Tempo in the WNBA. Ilitch Companies, the Detroit‑based conglomerate that controls the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings and MLB’s Detroit Tigers, adds a deep reservoir of experience across professional hockey and baseball.
The league has been run under a single‑entity structure overseen by Mark Walter and his wife Kimbra Walter, who will continue to steer strategic decisions alongside the newly formed advisory board.
Mark Walter, reflecting on the league’s progress, said he was proud of what the PWHL has achieved and eager to see it reach its full potential, welcoming the new partners who share a commitment to advancing women’s sports.
While the financial details of the investment remain confidential, the involvement of Tanenbaum and Ilitch adds not only capital but also a network of contacts that could accelerate franchise development and broadcast opportunities.
The advisory board, which includes tennis legend Billie Jean King and her longtime partner Ilana Kloss, will help shape policy and promote the league’s visibility as it seeks to cement its place on the North American sports landscape.
Looking Ahead
With fresh capital and seasoned leadership, the PWHL is poised to expand its schedule, explore new markets and deepen its engagement with fans, aiming to build on the momentum generated since its inception.