Commissioner Brenda Andress to leave CWHL

This morning, the CWHL announced Brenda Andress will leave the organization at the end of July. Andress has been the only commissioner in the history of the league. They will start their 12th season this fall.

To my friends, family and supporters. Thank you for an incredible 12 years. The league will live on with you. https://t.co/XCOQGuiQSh

— Brenda Andress (@cwhlcommish) July 18, 2018

“It has been an incredible honor and privilege to lead this league,” said Andress in the league’s press release. “I am proud to have had the opportunity to build the organization into what it is today. While it’s time for me to move to the next stage of my career—I leave the league both viable and operationally strong, and at an extremely exciting time in its development. I have every confidence that the CWHL will continue to attract the world’s best players and deliver an exceptional and competitive hockey experience to fans on and off the ice.”

The league will announce their new commissioner soon.

As the league’s sole commissioner, Andress’s legacy is directly tied to the league’s legacy. Under her, the league grew to two different countries, partnered with four different NHL teams, and began paying players, among other events such as an All-Star Game. The league has played in multiple NHL arenas as well. Her era has also seen rocky times, most recently with how the addition of the Chinese teams were handled.

Recently, Andress debuted a cross sport collaboration called SheIS, aimed at promoting girls’ and women’s sports at every level.