The National Women’s Hockey League has announced that the league has adopted a new governance model which has been inspired by the models used in the NHL and other major professional sports leagues. Under this new model, transparency and alignment of interests were created and will underpin the continued growth and ensure the long term sustainability of professional women’s hockey in North America.
Under this new model, Dani Rylan Kearny will be stepping down as commissioner of the NWHL, and will now be the President of the original ownership group that currently oversees operations for the Buffalo Beauts, Metropolitan Riveters, Connecticut Whale, and Minnesota Whitecaps as they continue the process of establishing independent ownership of these four teams.
With Rylan Kearney stepping down as commissioner, the NWHL has appointed Tyler Tumminia as Interim Commissioner. Tumminia recently served as Chairwoman of the Toronto Six who were announced as the newest expansion franchise for the NWHL this past April.
“This is a time of opportunity and transformation for the NWHL, and the changes we are making across the league will fortify a foundation for continued success well into the future. I look forward to collaborating with our partners in the NWHL and our expanding community of fans to create a special place that honors the rich talents of women’s hockey.”
Tyler Tumminia, Interim NWHL Commisioner
Before joining the Six as Chairwoman, and now Interim NWHL Commissioner, Tumminia was the Senior Vice President of Goldklang Group, and was responsible for the operations of five minor league baseball teams, and oversaw the teams’ marketing and broad scale sponsorship, operations, and communications efforts.
“We would like to thank Dani for her role in founding the League and bringing it to where it is today. Dani has made an enormous impact on women’s hockey and led the NWHL from inception through its first five seasons, setting the stage for the next phase of growth. Tyler brings a wealth of relevant experience and we are confident that she will help take the League to the next level.”
Andy Scurto, a member of the Board of Governors
Prior to this restructuring that was announced today the NWHL was owned by a group of investors, which also owned four of the clubs, with Boston and Toronto independently owned. This change will go into effect immediatelyas the league will take the form of an unincorporated association with a Board of Governors that represents each member club, which will ensure that the alignment of interests between the teams and the League. The NHL, and MLB also uses this approach.
