Latest news with #BostonFleet
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
The Sports Bra, a women's sports bar franchise, is coming to Boston
The Sports Bra, a franchise dedicated to women's sports, is expanding to Boston, the company announced this week. The big picture: The Sports Bra is will be the third Boston-area bar to show predominantly women's sports — a space that's on the rise in the U.S. What's happening: The Sports Bra didn't say when or where the Boston franchise would open, but noted that it would air games from the Boston Fleet hockey team, Boston Legacy FC and other women's sports teams. Franchises are also opening in Indianapolis, Las Vegas and St. Louis, the company announced. The Sports Bra will be in good company in Boston, joining Parlor Sports in Somerville and fully-women-owned Drawdown Brewing in Jamaica Plain. Zoom out: Six women's sports bars have opened this year, with as many as 17 on the way. What they're saying: The bars "galvanize the community," says Kaitlyn Laabs, who is making a documentary about women's sports bars called "Untapped." "They've become centers of social, economic and political power in the communities where they exist." The vibe: Bar owners mix the fun and camaraderie of team sports with an atmosphere that's welcoming to everyone, including nontraditional sports fans and the LGBTQ+ community. "Let's bring people in that have always been a little timid about going to a sports bar," says Monica Brady, co-owner of upcoming Kansas City women's sports bar The Dub. Friction point: Some bar owners, such as Watch Me! owner Jax Diener, have gotten sexist and anti-LGBTQ+ hate. Between the lines: Many of these bar owners also struggle to secure small-business loans, increasing the barrier to opening, Laabs says. Brady tells Axios she and her business partner were rejected for a loan four times. She said lenders cited high collateral requirements, risk, and inexperience in the industry as factors in the rejections. Many women's sports bar owners have turned to crowdfunding. Stunning stat: In 2023, women received less than a third of the Small Business Administration's loans despite owning about 43% of America's small businesses, according to the SBA.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Star F Hilary Knight signs with expansion Seattle franchise
June 5 - The expansion Seattle franchise of the Professional Women's Hockey League signed legendary forward Hilary Knight to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Knight was left exposed in the expansion draft by the Boston Fleet. Seattle and fellow expansion franchise Vancouver were given a five-day window from June 4-8 to sign a maximum of five players prior to the June 9 zxdraft. Knight, a four-time U.S. Olympian who recently announced her intention to play in the 2026 Games in Milan, tied for the PWHL lead of 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in the recently concluded season. It was her second season with the Fleet. "Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer -- she's the heartbeat of any team she joins," Seattle general manager Meghan Turner said in a news release. "Her proven leadership and drive, the way she elevates everyone around her, those are qualities you can't teach. "Hilary's not just a game-changer on the ice, she's the kind of person who defines a culture, and we're incredibly proud to have her as the first-ever player to join PWHL Seattle." Knight, who turns 36 in July, has won one Olympic gold medal and three silvers. She had a regulation-time goal when the U.S. famously beat Canada in a shootout to win the 2018 gold medal in South Korea. In the 2022 Olympics, Knight had six goals and four assists. Overall, she has 12 goals and 15 assists in 22 Olympic contests. She also owns a record 15 medals (10 gold, five silver) at the Women's World Championships. The most recent gold came in April. "I'm incredibly proud to be part of bringing professional women's hockey to the Pacific Northwest," Knight said. "Seattle holds a special place in my heart, and I'm beyond excited to join PWHL Seattle in such a storied sports city. I'm grateful to Meghan Turner for believing in me and bringing me on board as part of this new chapter. "To my teammates, the staff, and the fans of Boston --- thank you. The Fleet wasn't just a team, it was home. These past two seasons were some of the most meaningful of my career, and I'll carry those memories with me forever." Across all levels of U.S. national team play, Knight has 161 goals and 125 assists in 243 games. The longtime resident of Sun Valley, Idaho, was a college star at Wisconsin and helped the Badgers win two national championships. The Seattle franchise will play at Climate Pledge Arena, the home of the NHL's Kraken. --Field Level Media
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Hilary Knight agrees to join Seattle PWHL expansion team; Vancouver lands Frost duo Thompson, Jaques
Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight is heading to the PWHL's expansion team in Seattle, while Vancouver landed the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost's blue-line duo of Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques to start the league's expansion signing period Wednesday. Knight, one of the league's three MVP finalists, agreed to a one-year contract in becoming Seattle's first player. The agreement moves Knight closer to her offseason home in Idaho, and provides the team an immediate high-profile presence in a city that already features NWSL and WNBA franchises.
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Hilary Knight agrees to join Seattle PWHL expansion team; Vancouver lands Frost due Thompson, Jaques
Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight is heading to the PWHL's expansion team in Seattle, while Vancouver landed the two-time defending champion Minnesota Frost's blue-line duo of Claire Thompson and Sophie Jaques to start the league's expansion signing period Wednesday. Knight, one of the league's three MVP finalists, agreed to a one-year contract in becoming Seattle's first player. The agreement moves Knight closer to her offseason home in Idaho, and provides the team an immediate high-profile presence in a city that already features NWSL and WNBA franchises.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Hilary Knight signs with PWHL Seattle after going unprotected in expansion
One day after being left unprotected for PWHL expansion, Hilary Knight has signed with the league's new Seattle franchise. The league, which launched in January 2024 with six teams, is adding two franchises in Seattle and Vancouver. PWHL expansion rules allow unprotected players and free agents to negotiate with either of the new teams during a five-day window that opened Wednesday morning. Advertisement As expected, the Boston Fleet protected star goalie Aerin Frankel and No. 1 defender Megan Keller ahead of Tuesday's deadline. But the team opted to protect 27-year-old forward Alina Müller in a surprising move that left Knight, the team's captain, exposed. Knight will turn 36 this summer and she's already announced that the 2026 Milan Olympics will be her fifth and final trip to the Games. She's also said she plans to continue playing in the PWHL. IT'S KNIGHT TIME, SEATTLE! 😎 2025 PWHL Points co-leader, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist and ten-time World Champion Hilary Knight has signed a one-year Standard Player Agreement.📰 — PWHL Seattle (@PWHL__Seattle) June 5, 2025 Still, if Boston general manager Danielle Marmer were to protect Knight, she'd run the risk of losing three top forwards in short order — Müller and rookie forward Hannah Bilka to expansion, and Knight to retirement. Protecting Müller — even if it likely means losing Knight — ensures the team keeps at least one of its core forwards for more than a few years. For Seattle, however, making one of the greatest women's hockey players of all-time the team's first signing is an easy win. Especially considering Knight is an all-time great who is still a high-end player. 'Signing Hilary Knight was an absolute no-brainer,' said PWHL Seattle general manager Meghan Turner in a press release. 'Her proven leadership and drive, the way she elevates everyone around her, those are qualities you can't teach. 'Hilary's not just a game-changer on the ice, she's the kind of person who defines a culture, and we're incredibly proud to have her as the first-ever player to join PWHL Seattle.' Knight was one of the best players in the PWHL in 2024-25, with a league leading 29 points in 30 games. Knight finished second in goals (15), behind only Montreal captain Marie-Philip Poulin, and was named a finalist for league MVP and Forward of the Year. Advertisement She was also (once again) among the top scorers at women's world championships in April, where she won her record 10th gold medal with Team USA. Off the ice, very few have anything close to the cachet that Knight has in women's hockey, particularly in an American market. As a cornerstone player in Seattle – and perhaps captain – she should undoubtedly help grow the fan base and market swiftly, much like her star counterparts in soccer (Megan Rapinoe) and basketball (Sue Bird) have done. Turner, who spent the first two seasons as Boston's assistant general manager, is obviously familiar with Knight, and the kind leadership and experience she can add to a brand-new franchise. Signing in Seattle also offers Knight – who is from Sun Valley, Idaho – a chance to be closer to family. 'I'm incredibly proud to be part of bringing professional women's hockey to the Pacific Northwest,' said Knight. 'Seattle holds a special place in my heart, and I'm beyond excited to join PWHL Seattle in such a storied sports city. I'm grateful to Meghan Turner for believing in me and bringing me on board as part of this new chapter.' The PWHL's Seattle team will debut in the fall of 2025 and will play Climate Pledge Arena, home of the NHL's Seattle Kraken.
