MLB announces strategic investment in AUSL

Press Release via Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL)

Major League Baseball today announced a strategic investment in the AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League), marking a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive partnership with a women’s professional sports league to help establish and grow the AUSL as a sustainable organization. The announcement will be made this morning on CBS Mornings.  

As a part of MLB’s ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of softball at all levels, MLB will work collaboratively to help raise the visibility of the AUSL and its athletes in a variety of manners across MLB’s marketing, events,  distribution, editorial, digital and social platforms, content and more, including select AUSL games airing on MLB  Network and MLB.TV (full AUSL broadcast schedule to be announced next week). In addition, MLB’s financial investment will assist with league operational costs and key growth initiatives. The new pro softball league launches its inaugural season with Opening Day on Saturday, June 7^th with games in Rosemont, Illinois and Wichita, Kansas  (the Wichita game airs exclusively on MLB Network and MLB.TV at 7:30 p.m. ET). 

“This is a watershed moment for women’s sports and especially for softball,” AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng said. “MLB’s investment will supercharge our efforts to build the sustainable professional league this sport has long deserved, and sends a powerful message about the value of female athletes and the importance of creating professional opportunities for them. Together, we’re going to reach new fans and  inspire the next generation of softball players.”

“Major League Baseball’s investment in the AUSL represents an opportunity to support softball’s long-term growth and expand our engagement with these outstanding athletes and their fans,” Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. said. “As a part of our broader commitment to growing softball and creating more opportunities for women and girls in sports, this agreement reflects our confidence in Kim  Ng’s leadership, the AUSL vision, and the incredible talent of its athletes. During this extraordinarily exciting time for women’s sports, we want softball to thrive. MLB is committed to help build a sustainable and  impactful league that drives fandom, serves the softball community, and benefits all female athletes.” 

During this inaugural season, AUSL’s four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts – will play 24  games each between June 7^th-July 23^rd, culminating with the top two teams competing in the AUSL  Championship, a best-of-three series to be held July 26^th-28^th at the University of Alabama’s Rhoads  Stadium. Following the AUSL Championship, 60 players will compete for an individual championship in the  AUSL All-Star Cup, a 21-game competition in August featuring the innovative Athletes Unlimited scoring system. The AUSL will become a city-based league beginning in 2026, while in its inaugural season it will be a touring property featuring games in 12 different cities. The full AUSL game schedule can be found here, while single game tickets are now available here. More information, including team rosters and the regular season schedule broken down by team can be found at theAUSL.com.  

The AUSL is part of Athletes Unlimited (AU), which was co-founded in 2020 by Jon Patricof (who also serves as CEO) and Jonathan Soros, and named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies. In addition to the AUSL, AU owns and operates a portfolio of professional women’s sports leagues, including basketball and volleyball properties. The AUSL is led by Commissioner Kim Ng – who was previously the first woman to be named General Manager of a major American men’s professional sports team (Miami  Marlins, 2020-23) and also served as SVP, Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball from 2011-2020  – while AUSL advisors include MLB Softball Ambassadors Jennie Finch and Natasha Watley, along with Jessica Mendoza and Cat Osterman.  

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