PHF Announces New Salary Disclosure Policy
Published on July 21, 2022 under Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) News Release
BOSTON, MA - - The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) today announced details for a new salary disclosure policy created in partnership with the PHF Players' Association that applies to all signed player contracts for the 2022-23 season. The policy gives players the option to allow for their salary to be disclosed publicly by their team and the PHF when signing their standard player agreements. The introduction of this new policy is part of the PHF's ongoing commitment to supporting its players and providing greater transparency.
"This is another important step forward in the PHF's growth and development and reflects the collaboration we value between League leadership, our athletes, the Players' Association, the Board of Governors, and General Managers," said Reagan Carey, PHF Commissioner. "The PHF's new era is driven by our commitment to provide enhanced professional opportunities for women's hockey players that includes historic salary cap increases. We are excited to add another layer of growth and transparency to our League operations and to continue to prioritize player autonomy. This policy supports all athletes equally and without any pressure or influence towards those who may choose to disclose their salaries, or anybody who may feel that confidentiality is in their best interest."
The salary cap for the 2022-23 PHF season is a record $750,000 per team. For the first time in PHF history, players can come to terms on two-year agreements through the 2023-24 season and may also receive signing bonuses up to 10 percent of their total contract value. As part of the salary disclosure policy, a consent form accompanies all standard player agreements for players to sign, and was also distributed to all players who had previously signed contracts before the implementation of the policy. The forms consist of options to disclose length of contract, estimated average annual value of the contract, and signing bonus (if applicable), each at the athlete's personal discretion. The forms also provide players the option for no salary information to be disclosed. Salary disclosure is activated by a mutual agreement between the player and their team. Once the player and team signatures are secured, the contract information may be shared by the player, team, and the PHF.
"The Players' Association goals are centered on our core values of educating, empowering, and advocating for PHF athletes," said Nicole Corriero, Executive Director of the PHF Players' Association. "We thoroughly discussed this issue among our player reps to canvas all potential benefits and drawbacks from the player's perspective, and are encouraged by the collaborative process with Reagan and the League that led to this outcome. Transparency of salaries can help set industry benchmarks and assist others with their own negotiation process, however every player's experience and circumstance is unique, and it is understood and appreciated that not everyone wants nor benefits from disclosing personal information. We wanted to work with the League on a policy that encourages and respects both of these mutually important considerations, and we're pleased that the result of our collaboration provides options that may benefit all."
To date, a total of 71 players have officially been announced by PHF teams as under contract for the 2022-23 season of which 18 have provided consent to disclose their salary information. Among them is Dominique Kremer of the Buffalo Beauts, the reigning PHF Defender of the Year. The 25-year-old from Napoleonville, Louisiana was the first signing announcement of the offseason with a historic two-year deal that earns an average annual value of $65,000 and included a signing bonus of $6,500.
"As the League continues to grow and move forward, I think it's important that we take steps to emulate other professional sports leagues to show that the PHF is here to stay. One way to do that is by disclosing the monumental increases in salaries for PHF players," said Kremer, who also serves as PA rep for the Beauts. "Not only does it prove to people that the PHF is striding towards making professional women's hockey a full time career, but also gives that younger generation of girls something to work towards for their future. It's a very exciting time for the League and women's hockey, between record breaking salaries, multi-year contracts, the addition of health insurance, and a myriad of other opportunities, and I believe that the best is still yet to come."
As PHF free agency continues, future player signing announcements by teams may include salary details in cases where the player has provided their consent to disclose that information. Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits plan provided to all players distinguishes the PHF as a leader in professional women's hockey and in the sports world.
Consent for PHF Salary Disclosure:
The following list represents players whose contracts have been announced as of July 21 and who have provided signed consent to disclose their salary information. All individual player requests to disclose personal salary information that have been submitted to date have been supported by each of their respective team general managers.
Hannah Bates (CTW) $25,000
Ashleigh Brykaliuk (MIN) $45,000
Amanda Conway (CTW) $40,000 includes $4,000 Signing Bonus
Jonna Curtis (MIN) $50,000
Taylor Davison (TOR) $23,360
Emilie Harley (MET) $28,000
Jess Healey (BUF) $57,000 AAV includes $6,000 Signing Bonus
Tori Howran (CTW) $49,500 AAV
Carly Jackson (TOR) $29,375
Dominique Kremer (BUF) $65,000 AAV includes $6,500 Signing Bonus
Antonia Matzka (BUF) $22,000
Allie Munroe (CTW) $52,800 AAV includes $10,560 Signing Bonus
Madi Nichols (BUF) $13,500
Liz Schepers (MIN) $45,000
Emma Vlasic (CTW) $36,000
Alyssa Wohlfeiler (CTW) $42,500
Emma Woods (TOR) $44,340
Taylor Woods (TOR) $31,145
All player contracts above are for the 2022-23 PHF season unless listed with AAV which means Average Annual Value and is applicable for two-year contracts through the 2023-24 PHF season.
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
