Larry Tanenbaum brings Brendan Shanahan back as PWHL adviser

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Former Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan is joining former MLSE boss Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Ventures as a strategic advisor in that group’s PWHL interests. 

Kilmer Sports Ventures and Ilitch Companies of Detroit became the first two outside investors in the PWHL back in June. 

The single-entity-owned PWHL is part of Mark and Kimbra Walter’s extensive sports properties, with those and the PWHL Advisory Board making all league decisions since its inception. 

Kilmer Sports Ventures owns and invests in the WNBA’s Toronto Tempo, French Ligue 1 football club AS Saint-Etienne and is a strategic capital partner in the PWHL. 

The belief is that when the Walters eventually begin divesting themselves of the 12 teams they own in the PWHL, capital partners like Kilmer and the Ilitch Companies will become owners in their respective markets. 

In that sense, this announcement is more about the future than the present, although there’s plenty of relationship-building to do for Shanahan, who has been exclusively on the men’s side of professional hockey for his entire career. 

“It gives me great pleasure to be advising the PWHL on behalf of Kilmer sports Ventures during a time of tremendous growth in women’s professional hockey throughout North America and around the world,” Shanahan said in a released statement. “The athletes, coaches and support staff across the PWHL have done a tremendous job putting an amazing product on the ice. I am excited to provide my support and guidance in helping to grow the game and their audience.” 

Shanahan joined the Leafs ahead of the 2015 season and spent more than a decade as team President and Alternate Governor until he was let go in 2025. 

Mganter@postmedia.com

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