Premier Hockey Federation And Octagon Announce Strategic Development Partnership
March 15, 2022
PHF Taps Octagon to Advise on League Growth and Expansion, Sponsorship Sales, Marketing, and Platform Development
Octagon to Provide Counsel on Search and Selection of New PHF Commissioner
The Premier Hockey Federation (PHF) today announced a strategic development partnership with Octagon, the preeminent talent management, marketing, and creative agency in global sports and entertainment. Octagon will work with the PHF to chart the strategic direction of the league, as well as advise on overall growth, sponsorship sales, marketing, and other platform development. In addition, the agency will provide counsel toward the search and selection of the new PHF Commissioner
The PHF’s partnership with Octagon comes on the heels of the PHF Board of Governors’ announcement to invest more than $25 million into the league and its players over the next three years. The new relationship will amplify the Federation’s commitment to building an unrivaled women’s professional hockey league that supports both its highly talented players and dedicated fans.
Central to the partnership, Octagon will work directly with PHF executives to develop a sustainable infrastructure within the league office to best support long-term success and growth across the broader women’s sports landscape and the global sports marketplace.
“Adding Octagon as a strategic partner at this pivotal time in our growth is a huge win for our players and fans,” said Tobin Kelly, Member of the PHF Board of Governors. “As we build the PHF to be the place that women hockey players have long deserved, we are excited to have Octagon’s knowledge and experience on hand to make sure we continue to grow with vision and purpose. Octagon’s orientation towards what today’s female athletes need to be successful, and their broad reach across the sports landscape, will help the PHF continue to expand the experience and opportunities for our players.”
“The PHF’s commitment to showcasing and elevating the incredible women that define professional hockey, and the opportunity to continue to propel the growth of women’s sports, are the driving force behind this partnership” said Susie Piotrkowski, Head of Women’s Team Sports, Octagon. “We’re thrilled to be part of this journey, and harness our global expertise in strategy, marketing, and sponsorship sales, to help further efforts for the league that help take the PHF to new levels and enhance opportunities for its players, partners, and fans.”
In addition to Octagon’s Women’s Team Sports division, Octagon Hockey, led by Managing Director Mike Liut, will collaborate to assist the league in multiple areas of growth.
The PHF has also continued to grow its brand ahead of the 2022-23 season, securing an unprecedented media agreement with ESPN+, and establishing multi-year partnerships with Upper Deck, Warrior, and additional sponsors.
About Octagon
Octagon is the preeminent integrated marketing, creative, and talent management agency in global sports and entertainment. The agency creates distinctive marketing campaigns for some of the largest brands and Fortune 500 companies across the globe and represents more than 900 of the most prominent and influential athletes, talent, and properties in the world.
For more than 40 years, Octagon has consistently pushed the boundaries of the industry with ground-breaking marketing campaigns, experiential and hospitality services, industry-leading data, insight, and strategy capabilities, as well as an unmatched talent management portfolio of the most high-profile and successful athletes and personalities.
About the Premier Hockey Federation
The PHF is the home of professional women’s hockey in North America. Established in 2015 as the National Women’s Hockey League, the NWHL rebranded to become the PHF in 2021 and provide opportunities for elite athletes to earn a living playing the game they love while fueling the continued growth of the sport. The league is made up of the Boston Pride, Buffalo Beauts, Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters, Minnesota Whitecaps, and the Toronto Six who all compete annually for the Isobel Cup. For more information visit premierhockeyfederation.com.