In an exciting development for women’s sports media, The IX Sports has acquired The Ice Garden, a leading women’s hockey publication. The deal comes just two months after The IX secured investment from Monumental Sports, marking another step toward its vision of building a 24/7 women’s sports newsroom.
Expanding Horizons: The IX’s Strategic Move
Founded in 2019 by veteran journalist Howard Megdal, The IX Sports has quickly become a central voice in women’s sports, with coverage spanning basketball, golf, gymnastics, soccer, and tennis. Its women’s basketball vertical alone reached more than 30 million readers in 2024, publishing over 100 reported pieces each month and growing free subscribers by 82% in the past year.
With The Ice Garden now under its umbrella, The IX strengthens its reach in hockey. The timing is pivotal, aligning with the Professional Women’s Hockey League’s third season, which includes the debut of new teams in Seattle and Vancouver, and the buildup to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Why It Matters: Elevating Women’s Hockey
Launched in 2016, The Ice Garden became a trusted hub for women’s hockey fans. After Vox Media and SB Nation cut ties with smaller publications in 2023, the site continued independently. Now, under the acquisition, managing editor Mike Murphy and the editorial staff will retain full control over content, while The IX takes on business operations and financial responsibilities.
“We had a little battery running this whole thing, like a nine-volt running it,” Murphy said. “By selling and working with Howard, we’re hooking up to a generator. More people are going to read our work, and all we’ve got to do is keep doing what we’ve already been doing.”
A Synergistic Partnership
The deal follows Monumental Sports’ investment in The IX earlier this year, which also brought new business hires including former WNBA player Bella Alarie as senior vice president of sales and marketing. To date, The IX has largely relied on subscription revenue, but Alarie noted that brands’ growing appetite for women’s sports exposure represents massive potential.
According to SponsorUnited, women’s sports sponsorship deals grew 12% in 2024, a trend that The IX intends to capitalize on. “We’re hoping to add more sports in 2026,” Alarie said.
Impact on the Hockey Community
Both The IX and The Ice Garden share a mission of elevating women in sport. For The IX, known for its wide-ranging newsletter coverage, and The Ice Garden, which has built one of the strongest hockey communities in women’s sports, the partnership creates new opportunities to expand storytelling, grow audiences, and secure greater visibility for athletes.
Megdal summed up the vision: “We want The IX Sports to be a place that pushes forward comprehensive coverage of women’s sports. No one has done this work better in women’s hockey than The Ice Garden. We want nothing less than putting an end to the idea that covering women’s sports is something the best journalists have to do by paying for it out of their own pocket.”
Celebrating Women in Sport
Women’s sports continue to evolve, with athletes setting new records and breaking barriers. Moves like this send a message: women’s sports deserve the same spotlight as men’s. The IX’s acquisition of The Ice Garden is not just business, it reflects resilience, growth, and the importance of telling these stories.
What the Future Holds
With stronger funding, new leadership on the business side, and growing demand from fans and sponsors alike, women’s hockey is poised for more attention than ever. Together, The IX Sports and The Ice Garden stand at the forefront of shaping the future of women’s sports media.
Looking for more insights on women in sports and leadership? Here’s the link to Winning Her Way, where you’ll find more stories, strategies, and updates.
