MLB partners with Athletes Unlimited Softball League to boost professional softball in USA
Major League Baseball (MLB) announced a strategic investment in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), 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 organisation.
“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," said MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. "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.”
“This is a watershed moment for women’s sports and especially for softball," added Kim Ng, AUSL Commisioner. "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.”
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.com (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.
AUSL's new pro softball league launches its inaugural season with Opening Day on Saturday, June 7th with games in Rosemont, Illinois and Wichita, Kansas (the Wichita game airs exclusively on MLB Network at 7:30 p.m. ET). During this inaugural season, AUSL’s four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts – will play 24 games each from June 7 to July 23, culminating with the top two teams competing in the AUSL Championship, a best-of-three series to be held July 26 to 28 at the University of Alabama’s Rhoads Stadium.
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.
MLB becomes the second professional baseball league to partner with a professional softball league, following the Mexican Baseball League, which organises the Mexican Softball League.