The issues with bringing women’s hockey to Michigan — and why the athletic department should do it anyway.

Hockey is an expensive sport, and even the men’s team, which is one of the most popular in the country, does not break even, losing around $1 million dollars in the 2023-24 season. The feasibility study reported that the program loses about $900,000 each year. A women’s team would not immediately experience the support that the men’s team does, meaning it would make less in merchandise, concessions and ticket sales despite costing roughly similar, which would only increase that loss.