Like most women’s hockey fans, I watched the NWHL free agency deadline approach with avid curiosity. The clock ticked down toward July 31st, then towards midnight, minute after minute passing with one unanswered question: where’s the US Women’s National Team?
News broke first of forward Kelli Stack re-signing with the Connecticut Whale. Good. Except…not? This became a recurring theme throughout the night as players were announced by the League and their language changed from “has signed” to “agreed to terms” and “will join.” Call it spin, call it linguistic gymnastics, whatever, but “agreed to terms” and “will join” do not mean the same thing as contract consummation. Further intrigue arose when numerous members of the USWNT, Kelli Stack included, sent out a uniform statement tweet divulging their contracts will be signed this week. Huh. Okay. To break out the legalese, that tells us there’s been an offer and negotiation regarding consideration, aka what each party brings to the table in forming a valid legally binding contract. But, and this is a big but, they’re not yet technically completed. Has pen hit paper? That’s not an ambiguous question. The League’s verbiage is ambiguous, and it shouldn’t be.
Also of note were the tweets from Brant Feldman, agent to Meghan Duggan and others, indicating his clear displeasure with the NWHL’s PR team. The League, contrary to Feldman’s wishes and the screencaps he posted displaying them, announced Duggan going to Boston before she could release a statement thanking the Beauts fans in Buffalo. Excelle Sports paints a more comprehensive report of last night’s drama here. Feldman’s irritation is palpable, appears justified, and begs one big question: what’s the League’s hurry?
Yes, signing the USWNT is a cornerstone of their plans and revenue, but the July 31st deadline was self-imposed, not dictated by USA Hockey, the IOC, or any other governing body. If there’s one thing I learned during my time as a paralegal, it’s that a contract isn’t complete until the final signature is dry on the page. Verbal agreements are great and all, but good luck trying to uphold them in a court of law. The League should have stepped back at the beginning of the month, poured itself a cocktail, and exercised some patience. Extending the deadline may not have been ideal, but neither is the egg on their faces from yesterday. Players and agents have long memories. The NWHL isn’t in a position to turn those memories sour.
Instead of a coffee-chugging GIF and a declaration that everyone would be signed by midnight, how about the truth? “Good things take time and we’re smoothing out the wrinkles!” Add a GIF of someone ironing for emphasis, then upload it to Twitter. Boom. Done. I want this League to succeed. I do. But they have to be careful. It’s a sad fact of life that upstart attractive women like Dani Rylan who buck the status quo will be judged more harshly than their male counterparts doing the same thing. The NWHL doesn’t have the luxury of making avoidable mistakes. Go forth, be brave, kick ass, and take names, but exercise discretion and care along the way.
History began last year; something amazing started in the hearts and minds of young girls who can see their heroes actually earn a paycheck for playing the sport they love. The League owes it to them to strengthen those foundations, build intelligently, and keep hold of common sense. Ambition is only as good as its execution.
One hit wonders have their footnote in history, while the greats have whole books dedicated to their accomplishments. It’s on Dani Rylan and the NWHL’s front office to decide where they want to be.
Meredith Foster 