PWHL has landed a broadcast television deal with Scripps Sports that will bring the Walter Cup Finals to over-the-air TV this spring.
The agreement represents the league's most significant media move since its launch in 2023. By placing the championship series on broadcast television, PWHL gains access to households that don't subscribe to cable or streaming packages. That's a reach play, and it's one the league office has been pursuing for months.
Sources close to the negotiations indicate the deal was finalized in recent weeks, with both sides motivated to announce before the playoff picture comes into sharper focus. With Season 3 past the midway mark, the standings are shaping up for a compelling postseason. Boston Fleet leads the table with 39 points through 20 games, holding a three-point edge over Minnesota Frost (36 points, 19 games) and Montréal Victoire (36 points, 19 games). The race for the final playoff spots remains congested, as just eight points separate fourth-place Toronto Sceptres from eighth-place Seattle Torrent.
For Scripps, the acquisition fits a pattern of targeted live sports investments. The company has positioned itself as an alternative to legacy sports networks, and adding PWHL's championship event gives it a tentpole property during a traditionally quiet period on the sports calendar.
The sense around the league is that this deal could open the door to regular-season broadcast windows in Season 4. PWHL has been deliberate about building its media strategy in stages, and proving the Walter Cup Finals can draw broadcast-level viewership would strengthen that case considerably.
Specific broadcast dates and studio coverage plans have not been released. The Walter Cup Finals are projected to begin in late May, with home-ice advantage going to the top-seeded teams.
Getting the championship series on free television addresses one of the league's persistent challenges: reaching fans who may not seek out a streaming subscription for hockey. Scripps' broadcast footprint covers a significant portion of the U.S. market, and the deal positions PWHL to capture casual viewers during what should be an exciting conclusion to the season.