The CWHL's board of directors have decided to discontinue operations May 1 of this year, the league has announced.
``Unfortunately, while the on-ice hockey is exceptional, the business model has proven to be economically unsustainable,'' the league said in a statement.
The news comes a week after the 12th edition of the Clarkson Cup, and despite putting in placement new management led by former Canadian women's star Jayna Hefford, and a new board last summer and fall.
The CWHL was founded in 2007 with a mandate to grow women's hockey. It had six clubs throughout North America and China.
A record-175,000 fans tuned in to watch last week's championship game.