The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) has operated since 2015, becoming the first North American female hockey league to pay their players a regular salary. Previously, all four NWHL teams were owned by the league itself, but all that has changed. Buffalo Sabres owners Kim and Terry Pegula have purchased the Buffalo Beauts franchise, adding them to their ever-growing Sports and Entertainment brand.
This is a huge step for the Beauts and the rest of the NWHL, who have had to cut salaries in the past to keep the league financially viable. An affiliation with an NHL team will only strengthen their brand, and since the Beauts already play in the Pegula-owned HarborCenter—also the practice facility for the Sabres—the partnership was a perfect fit.
The Beauts are the reigning Isobel Cup Champions, but have fallen well behind the powerhouse Metropolitan Riveters (who have a partnership with the New Jersey Devils) this season. Almost halfway through their season already, the team is in second place at 3-4. Their top scorer and captain, Corrine Buie is the only player to have won two Isobel Cups already, and also boasts a CWHL championship when she was a part of the Boston Blades. She’ll try to three-peat this season, and will have a new ownership group to support her.
Very happy for them. Hopefully this will get other major investors involved to help grow the league.