[5] The PWHPA spent the next several years courting corporate, media, and National Hockey League (NHL) partnerships, organizing a "Dream Gap" tour to generate support for its goal.

[6] For its part, the NHL proved unwilling to put its support fully behind the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF)—the rebranded NWHL—or establishing a new women's league with the PWHPA, and it encouraged the sides to discuss a merger.

[9][10] On June 29, it was announced that the PWHPA's two business partners, under the names of Mark Walter Group and BJK Enterprises, had purchased the PHF and its intellectual properties with the intent of effectively winding it down and merging it with the new venture.

[14][15] The agreement also includes health and disability insurance and workers' compensation, as well as guarantees around medical examinations and assistance and player safety.

[17] In December 2023, less than two weeks before the start of the inaugural PWHL season, each team selected a player representative to serve on the union's board of directors.