FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cynopsis Names Professional Women’s Hockey League as First Luminary Award Recipient for 2026 Sports Awards
NEW YORK, NY — Feb 3, 2026 — Cynopsis is pleased to announce the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) as the first Luminary Award recipient for the 2026 Cynopsis Sports Awards, recognizing the league as Sports League of the Year.
Launched in January 2024, the PWHL has rapidly emerged as a defining force in modern sports media. From its bold single-entity launch strategy to expansive national and local storytelling, the league has demonstrated how innovative media, marketing, and fan engagement can accelerate growth and cultural impact. Initiatives such as the PWHL Takeover Tour™ further extended the league’s reach, bringing professional women’s hockey to new markets and building deep community connections.
Backed by visionary leadership—including Mark Walter, Stan Kasten, Billie Jean King, Ilana Kloss, Royce Cohen, Jayna Hefford, and Amy Scheer—the PWHL has set a new benchmark for how startup sports leagues can scale thoughtfully and successfully. Combined with record-breaking attendance, high-profile brand partnerships, and grassroots engagement, the league’s momentum signals a thriving future for professional women’s hockey in North America.
“What sets the PWHL apart is not just the speed of its growth, but the intention behind it. In a remarkably short period of time, the league has built trust with fans, partners, and players by prioritizing long-term vision over short-term wins,” said Stephanie Cronk, Brand Director of Cynopsis Sports Awards. “The result is a league that feels established, authentic, and culturally relevant, not aspirational. The PWHL is redefining what a modern sports league can look like, and its impact will extend well beyond women’s hockey.”
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects the collective effort of hundreds of people across our league, including our players, who have poured their hearts and energy into building the PWHL from day one,” said Amy Scheer, Executive Vice President of Business Operations, PWHL. “We’re deeply grateful to our fans for their belief and support, and for creating one of the most unique in-arena communities and atmospheres in sports, and we’re proud to celebrate this honor with the broader sports industry at the Cynopsis Sports Awards.”
The 2026 Cynopsis Sports Awards will culminate in a live awards gala on June 4, 2026, from 4-7PM in New York City, where the PWHL will be formally honored alongside other industry leaders.
Entries for the 2026 Cynopsis Sports Awards are now open. Programs and campaigns that moved sports media forward over the past year are encouraged to submit for consideration. For more information about the Cynopsis Sports Awards or to submit an entry, click here.
Media & Contact Information:
For general inquiries, contact: Stephanie Cronk, scronk@accessintel.com.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact: Vernesa Merdanovic, vmerdanovic@accessintel.com.
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About Cynopsis:
Chief Marketer Network’s Cynopsis is the publisher of three free trade publications for the television, media, digital, and sports TV industries. Beyond its flagship newsletters, Cynopsis produces high-impact networking events, virtual summits, educational webinars, community surveys, and benchmarking awards programs that recognize excellence and foster innovation throughout the industry.
About Chief Marketer Network:
The Chief Marketer Network (CMN) is a leading marketing intelligence hub connecting a global portfolio of nine specialized media brands that span the primary channels of media and marketing — from advertising technology to PR and communications. With an aggregate audience of over 1 million marketing professionals, CMN delivers curated insights, trend forecasting, and cross-disciplinary coverage that empower marketers to stay ahead of what’s next. Trusted by industry leaders, the Chief Marketer Network is the go-to resource for actionable intelligence across the evolving marketing landscape. CMN brands include AdExchanger, Event Marketer, Chief Marketer, PRNEWS, LeadsCon, AdMonsters, Cynopsis, and Cablefax.
About the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL):
The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is a professional ice hockey league in North America that features the best women’s players in the world. It is comprised of eight teams: Boston, Minnesota, Montréal, New York, Ottawa, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver. Launched on January 1, 2024, the PWHL has broken multiple attendance records and holds the worldwide all-time record for a women’s hockey game. The league was recognized by Sports Business Journal as the Sports Breakthrough of the Year, and ranked No. 1 in Canada for corporate reputation in both 2024 and 2025, according to the Harris Poll. Visit thepwhl.com to purchase tickets and merchandise and subscribe to the PWHL e-newsletter for the latest updates. Follow the league on social media @thepwhlofficial.
