Women’s ice-hockey league takes US by storm

League signs broadcast and sponsorship deals but big disparity continues to exist between male and female game.

Foxboro, Massachusetts – The women of the Boston Pride Ice Hockey team have seen some tough competition this season, but now face one of their toughest matches yet.

They are playing at the Winter Classic, a signature event for men’s hockey in North America. It is a big accomplishment for the founder of the National Women’s Hockey League, 28-year-old Dani Rylan.

“These players are some of the best in the world and they deserve to get paid for being the best at what they do,” Rylan told Al Jazeera.

“The women’s game has evolved so much over the last five years that its ready for the broadcast deals and sponsorship deals. They are ready to be professionals.”

In the last five years, the game has picked up broadcast deals and sponsorship contracts. But a big disparity continues between the men’s game and the women’s.

Source: Al Jazeera