PWHL expanding to 2 cities

PWHL expanding to 2 cities

May 14, 2026

PWHL Adds Teams in Detroit, Las Vegas Amid Expansion Spree
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is expanding to Detroit and Las Vegas for the 2026–27 season, with a third addition in Hamilton, Ontario, expected to bring the league to 10 franchises. The new teams will play in major NHL venues, such as Little Caesars Arena and T-Mobile Arena, capitalizing on the league's record-breaking attendance and the momentum of women's hockey following the Winter Olympics. Unlike previous expansions, these teams will build their rosters through specific signing windows and a protected player list rather than a traditional expansion draft.
^{Front Office Sports}

Kraken hire Sportsology Group to audit organization
The Seattle Kraken have hired Sportsology Group to conduct a comprehensive internal audit of their hockey operations following a season where the team finished 27th in the NHL. This external review will assess everything from scouting and player development to organizational structure, running parallel to the team's own end-of-season evaluation. While the audit signals a desire for improvement after missing the playoffs, leadership indicates that General Manager Jason Botterill and Head Coach Lane Lambert are expected to remain in their roles.
^{The Seattle Times}

Under Armour sees another weak year as North America struggles, shares slump
Under Armour's stock plummeted 20% after the company forecast another annual revenue decline and projected profits significantly below analyst estimates for fiscal year 2027. CEO Kevin Plank, who returned to lead the brand in 2024, is currently spearheading a turnaround plan that includes cutting 25% of product lines and reducing heavy discounting to focus on premium items. Despite these efforts, the sportswear maker continues to struggle with intense competition from rivals like Nike and Lululemon alongside a weakening North American market.
^Reuters

ESPN sets the stage for Super Bowl LXI with week long expansive broadcast and fan experience on Santa Monica Beach
ESPN has announced plans to transform Santa Monica Beach and its historic pier into "ESPN Beach," a massive content hub and fan destination for Super Bowl LXI in February 2027. This week-long activation will serve as the primary broadcast home for the network’s first-ever Super Bowl production, featuring live studio programming from several iconic beachside sets. Beyond the broadcasts, the site will offer fans free interactive games, immersive Disney-themed experiences, and community events to celebrate the game's arrival in Southern California.
^{ESPN Press Room}

McDonald's buys Chicago Fire stadium naming rights, a U.S. first
The Chicago Fire and McDonald's have announced a naming-rights partnership for a new $750 million, 22,000-seat stadium called McDonald's Park, which is scheduled to open in 2028 in Chicago's South Loop. This deal marks the first time the fast-food giant's name will front a major U.S. sports facility and includes the construction of a permanent flagship restaurant inside the venue. Beyond the naming rights, the partnership will support youth soccer programs and provide dedicated resources and fundraising opportunities for the Ronald McDonald House.
^{Yahoo Sports}

Budget conference: Ed Hooper throws Rays funding a curveball, but stadium deal remains in play
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Ed Hooper has suggested pausing state funding for a Hillsborough College renovation project until local officials and the Tampa Bay Rays finalize a stadium agreement. Despite this "curveball," sources indicate that the requested $50 million to $150 million in funding is still likely to be secured through the Public Education Capital Outlay report. Meanwhile, team leadership is urging Tampa and Hillsborough County to approve a memorandum of understanding by June 1 to keep the project on track for a 2029 opening.
^{Florida Politics}

76ers fire Daryl Morey as president and keep Nick Nurse as coach
Following a disappointing sweep in the Eastern Conference semifinals by the New York Knicks, the Philadelphia 76ers have fired Daryl Morey as president of basketball operations. While Morey is out after six seasons, the organization has decided to retain Nick Nurse as head coach to maintain stability on the sidelines. Former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers will oversee the department in the interim and lead the search for a permanent replacement to help the franchise finally advance past the second round.
^NBA

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March Madness gets bigger — and so does the sponsorship playbook
The NCAA has officially finalized plans to expand the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to include a new 12-game opening round, increasing postseason access to 21% of Division I teams. To fund the associated costs of this expansion, the governing body is overhauling its sponsorship model by opening previously restricted categories like alcohol and allowing for more localized and sport-specific partnerships. These changes are projected to generate over $131 million in additional revenue distributions over the next six years to offset the expenses of the tournament's increased scale.
^{Sports Business Journal}

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