The PHF announced plans to double its salary cap ($750K to $1.5 million) for the 2023–24 season

The GIST: Call it a mic puck drop. The PHF announced plans to double its salary cap for the 2023–24 season on Wednesday, and didn’t stop there, announcing a splashy All-Star weekend yesterday — two major steps towards luring top talent from the PWHPA and solidifying itself as a power player in the budding women’s hockey space.

The salaries: Specifically, the salary cap will jump from $750K to $1.5 million next season, all made possible by a $25 million investment approved by the board of governors in January.

• The PHF’s new salary cap will shockingly exceed the WNBA’s and NWSL’s, if current plans hold. The W’s team bill will land at $1.46 million in 2024, while the NWSL’s currently stands at $1.1 million. A BFD.

The All-Star weekend: Yesterday, the league announced an All-Star weekend in Toronto next month, sponsored by Air Canada and Sailun Tire. The Sunday night game will enjoy the primetime spotlight on both sides of the border — ESPN2 will carry the event in the U.S., while TSN will do the same in Canada.

Zooming out: The PHF is clearly trying to take advantage of the (very) delayed launch of the PWHPA’s league, attempting to frame itself as the viable destination for hockey players and audiences alike.

• It’s a gutsy move, considering the top players’ loyalty to the PWHPA. Its incoming league will likely introduce competitive salaries, which may make the PHF’s reign over market share temporary. Things are just starting to heat up on the ice.