The proposed league could give players a fresh route into the professional game, particularly in markets where outdoor football has yet to establish a lasting presence. Clubs in Dallas, Des Moines, Kansas City, Milwaukee, San Diego, St. Louis and Tacoma are also expected to be involved, according to the report.
For Burum, the project appears to be about more than adding another team to the sporting calendar. The goal is to build a sustainable arena-football structure, with local identities and regular access to professional competition at its core.
The Empire Pulse would provide the immediate focal point in Ontario, linking the women’s project to the existing Strykers operation. That connection could help the new side benefit from established facilities, commercial relationships and a ready-made fan base.
Burum is also reportedly exploring the redevelopment of older arenas in industrial cities including Erie, Pennsylvania, and Toledo, Ohio. The venues could host both men’s and women’s matches while being incorporated into broader real-estate projects.
That approach reflects his wider business background, but it also highlights a central challenge for emerging sports leagues: facilities must serve communities between matchdays, not simply sit idle during the season. A renovated arena can become a home for football, entertainment and local events.
The project remains a plan rather than a confirmed league launch, and its success will depend on investment, venue availability and the ability to attract players and supporters. Still, the combination of women’s football and arena redevelopment offers a distinctive blueprint.
The next key test will be whether the proposed league can turn its reported January target into a stable opening season - and whether the Empire Pulse can become the standard-bearer for a new chapter in Ontario football.