The Mark Walter Group is selling the Lakers — and Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner open with what that means for the PWHL. With Walter's sports portfolio unwinding fast (Lakers sold, Dodgers potentially next, LA Sparks future uncertain), the question the league still hasn't answered is whether the original ten-year funding commitment still holds. The PWHL hasn't commented. Erica and Rachel break down what we know, what we don't, and why the silence itself is part of the story. Then it's into the team-by-team deep dives. Ottawa first: a squad that made back-to-back Finals and lost Brianne Jenner, Emily Clark, Peyton Hemp, Alexa Vasco, Rory Gilday, and Stephanie Markowski to expansion and free agency. Erica and Rachel assess whether Ottawa's decision to stay patient, keep their young core, and not chase free agency is a smart long game — or a missed window. Plus: Fanuza Kadirova's extension, Jocelyn LaRocque, Katarzyna Mrazova, and Ottawa's move to Canadian Tire Centre. Then Boston: the Fleet lost their Coach of the Year in Kris Sparre to Hamilton, their leading goal scorer in Jessie Eldridge to Montréal, and Alina Müller to Hamilton as well. Now they're on their third head coach in three seasons in François Mathot — who, notably, coached Haley Winn as a kid. Aaron Frankel returns as one of the best goalies in the league, Abby Newhook gets a new deal, and Erica and Rachel ask the real question: who steps up when the top of the lineup is gone? 0:00 — Intro: Mark Walter sells the Lakers, what's next for the PWHL, and tonight's episode rundown3:30 — Mark Walter Group update: Lakers sale, Dodgers uncertainty, LA Sparks limbo, and what the original ten-year funding promise means now8:45 — Why the PWHL's silence on the Walter investigation is itself a story — and what it might be delaying14:00 — Ottawa Charge deep dive: what back-to-back Finals losses and four expansion teams cost them this offseason20:15 — Ottawa's decision to stand pat: smart long game or missed free agency window?26:30 — Ottawa to Canadian Tire Centre: what the arena move means for fans, accessibility, and the Charge's identity31:00 — Boston Fleet deep dive: losing Kris Sparre, Jessie Eldridge, and Alina Mueller — and what's left38:00 — François Mathot takes over as Boston's third coach in three seasons — his history with Haley Winn and what it signals43:30 — Aaron Frankel, Abby Newhook, and who steps up to replace Boston's lost production49:00 — Amanda Boulier from Montréal and what Boston's blue line looks like heading into camp52:00 — What's next: Minnesota, Toronto, New York, Seattle, Vancouver, and the four expansion teams still to come At Even Strength is a PWHL-focused podcast from Black Rosie Media, hosted by Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. New episodes drop on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow us on Bluesky social! Erica L Ayala 🦋https://bsky.app/profile/elindsay08.bsky.social Rachel Donner 🦋https://bsky.app/profile/rmiriam.bsky.social At Even Strength on TikTok 📲https://www.tiktok.com/@atevenstrength_pod Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/ Black Rosie Media: Olympics, Women’s Hockey, Women’s Basketball, and other stories that matter! 🎧 https://linktr.ee/BlackRosieMedia #pwhl #womenshockey #hockey 🎥 WATCH • Subscribe to this channel: youtube.com/channel/@BLKRosieMedia ▶︎ Exclusive Interviews: • Black Rosie Media I Interviews 🎧 LISTEN • Download and follow & leave a 5⭐️ rating on Apple: http://bit.ly/4bCWKpn • Other Black Rosie Media podcasts: https://blackrosiemedia.transistor.fm/ 📱FOLLOW BLACK ROSIE MEDIA • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackrosiemedia • Instagram: • Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackRosieMedia 📖 READ • More PWHL news: • More Black women in sports news: • More WNBA news: 💵Black Women in Sports • Exclusive Interviews with Black Women in Sports: • Must-Watch documentaries: • Must-read books & articles: ABOUT THE SHOW Get your weekly women’s hockey fix with Erica L. Ayala and Rachel Donner. They will cover the top news in the PWHL, NCAA, and international women’s ice hockey.
