Athletes Unlimited launches new pro softball league in USA
Athletes Unlimited announced the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), a new professional softball league in the US. Launching in June 2025, the AUSL will feature four teams playing a 30-game season (60 total games) in a traditional format, complementing the existing AU Pro Softball Championship Season and creating a new opportunity for the world’s best players to compete.
ESPN has signed on as a founding broadcast partner of the AUSL and will carry at least 18 games exclusively on its linear platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU) in 2025.
Softball legends Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman and Natasha Watley have signed on as advisors to the AUSL, consulting with AU leadership and current athletes on the strategic direction of the new league.
The AUSL will become a city-based league beginning in 2026, while the inaugural season in 2025 will be a touring property featuring games in 6-8 different cities. The existing AU Pro Softball Championship Season will follow the conclusion of the AUSL season and will be renamed the AUSL All-Star Cup beginning in 2025, while continuing to use AU’s innovative scoring model to crown an individual champion. Further details about the AUSL, including locations, competitors, schedule and additional broadcast partners will be announced at a later date.
“Athletes Unlimited has been building on the momentum in women’s pro sports since our launch five years ago,” said Jonathan Soros, Athletes Unlimited co-founder. ”We’ve been growing steadily in softball, and the AUSL will be our biggest expansion yet to create more opportunities for fans to watch the world’s best athletes.”
“USA Softball is extremely excited for this new era of Athletes Unlimited and believes it is a great step forward in growing the sport of softball,” said Craig Cress, CEO of USA Softball. “Providing these athletes with the chance to play professionally in a more traditional league will not only impact current athletes but also future generations of softball athletes.”
The AUSL has also announced a highly decorated and seasoned group of softball veterans to serve as General Managers and Head Coaches of the inaugural four teams in the inaugural season, including three-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Fernandez and three-time Olympic medallist Cat Osterman as GM.
Kelly Kretschman will coach Osterman's team while Howard Dobson will coach Fernández's team. Jenny Dalton-Hill will be the general manager of a team coached by Stacey Nuveman-Deniz and Dana Sorensen will be the general manager of a team coached by Alisa Goler.
“Athletes Unlimited continues to have an open mind and view for what best serves our sport and athletes,” said Osterman, a three-time Olympic medalist, four-time All-American, and six-time professional All-Star. “AUSL is much needed in our sport, as the traditional model is popular amongst fans, but also gives athletes the opportunity to develop and progress within the consistent environment of a season. It’s a great moment for our sport and amazing to have an organization like Athletes Unlimited continuing to be innovative in serving both athletes and fans alike.”
In conjunction with the announcement, Athletes Unlimited has also started new Twitter and Facebook pages that will focus specifically on softball. Fans can follow @AUProSoftball to stay up to date on all AUSL news as well as follow along for exclusive content during the upcoming summer seasons.