There are no imminent plans to alter the ownership structure or sell the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). Stan Kasten, a member of the PWHL’s advisory board, assured that the governance of the league’s 12 teams will remain steady, despite co-founder Mark Walter divesting parts of his sports portfolio amid ongoing U.S. federal inquiries into loans between his insurance ventures and businesses linked to Walter.
Kasten, speaking on behalf of the PWHL, emphasized that there are no anticipated changes to the league’s ownership. He reiterated the commitment to maintaining a sustainable league, reflecting the same long-term vision since its inception.
Mark Walter, a wealthy individual based in Chicago, holds interests in various professional sports teams through TWG Global Holdings. His sports portfolio encompasses the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA, the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA, Chelsea in the English Premier League, and the Cadillac F1 team in Formula One.
Recent reports indicated that Walter’s businesses are facing scrutiny from U.S. federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding tax fraud investigations. However, Walter is cooperating with the authorities during the inquiries.
In a notable development, Walter agreed to a record-breaking sale of the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger for $12.5 billion US. This transaction is pending approval from the NBA’s board of governors.
Regarding potential investigations into Walter’s activities, the Canadian Securities Administrators referred inquiries to regional securities commissions when asked for comments.
The PWHL, with subsidiaries in Toronto and Vancouver, welcomed Toronto-based Kilmer Sports Ventures and Detroit-based Ilitch Sports and Entertainment as its first external investors in June. Kilmer and Ilitch’s representatives opted not to comment on the league’s ownership status or governance.
Mark Walter, alongside his wife Kimbra Walter, founded the PWHL in 2022 through the Mark Walter Group, partnering with the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association and Billie Jean King Enterprises to establish a six-team women’s hockey league. The league commenced its inaugural season in 2024 and expanded to 12 teams by the 2025-26 season, with the prestigious Walter Cup serving as the championship trophy.
The PWHL recently announced expansion plans to include Hamilton, Detroit, San Jose, and Las Vegas. The league’s ownership model involves all 12 teams being wholly owned by the PWHL itself.
Expressing optimism for the league’s future, Kasten, also the president of the Los Angeles Dodgers, highlighted the rapid growth of the PWHL to 12 teams within three seasons. He reassured fans and stakeholders of the league’s bright prospects and the pride of its ownership in the progress achieved.
Amid speculations, Kasten affirmed that the Los Angeles Dodgers, a cornerstone of Walter’s sports assets, are not up for sale. He emphasized the team’s focus on success, following Walter’s instrumental role in the Dodgers’ acquisition in 2012 through Guggenheim Baseball Management.
Overall, the PWHL remains steadfast in its operations and growth trajectory, with a strong commitment to advancing women’s hockey and sustaining a successful league model.