MLB Invests in Athletes ​Unlimited​ Softball League⁤ for 2024 Season

‍ Updated May 29, 2025

Major League Baseball is ​making a ‍strategic investment in the Athletes ​unlimited Softball League (AUSL), ​marking its first comprehensive ‌partnership with a professional women’s sports league. The ‌move ‍underscores MLB’s commitment ​to ​supporting women’s sports and growing the game ⁤of ⁢softball.

MLB’s investment, of an ⁣undisclosed amount, will support ⁤operational costs and help increase​ the Athletes Unlimited softball league’s ‌visibility through⁣ content, ⁤marketing, sales, and digital platforms. The AUSL and its‍ athletes will ⁤be promoted during MLB’s All-Star⁢ Game and throughout the postseason.

MLB Commissioner Rob ‍Manfred‍ expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. “We studied ⁣the space hard. We think ​it’s a real chance and we’re excited to be involved,” Manfred ‍told The Associated Press.

Athletes Unlimited has featured softball ⁢since 2020, using a ‌unique ‍format that crowns an individual champion. A team-based league will launch ​June 7, with the individual format retained for the AUSL All-Star⁣ Cup.

Manfred ​noted the increasing interest ‍in women’s sports and‌ said MLB sought ways to get involved. Rather than⁤ launching its own‌ softball ⁤league, MLB⁢ chose to invest in Athletes Unlimited ‍due to its ‌success‌ and infrastructure.

Kim Ng, former general manager of⁤ the Miami ⁤Marlins and ⁣the first female GM in major U.S. pro sports, joined the AUSL as an adviser and was promoted to commissioner ⁣in April.manfred‌ cited Ng’s hiring as further solidifying the ‍decision to invest.

Jon Patricof, Athletes Unlimited co-founder, emphasized ‌that MLB’s ⁤commitment to increasing the AUSL’s ⁢visibility is⁢ as‌ crucial as ⁣the financial investment. “They’re committed to really⁢ elevating ‌the ‍AUSL,” Patricof said, noting the difficulty‍ of breaking‍ through ⁢to ​new audiences.

The Bandits and ⁢Talons will open the season with ‌a three-game series in rosemont, Ill., on June ‍7.⁣ The ⁣Blaze and Volts will begin thier season in⁤ Wichita, Kan. The four teams will play ‌24 games in ‍12 cities,with ⁢the ‌top two teams competing in the AUSL Championship in Tuscaloosa,Ala., ⁢from​ July 26-28.

The league plans to expand ⁣to six teams next season​ and ⁣transition to a city-based model.

MLB supports various women’s softball⁤ and‌ baseball initiatives,including a partnership with USA Softball and the MLB Develops girls baseball ⁣pipeline. It is​ not involved with the Women’s Professional​ Baseball League, slated ⁤to launch in 2026.

Manfred anticipates a shining future for the Athletes Unlimited softball league. “I fully expect that they will expand, and we hope that we will end up with a league that⁢ is sustainable on its own, a good investment for us, and​ a partner‌ in growing​ diamond sports internationally,” he‍ said.

Patricof believes the partnership with MLB, combined with the existing relationship between Athletes Unlimited and⁤ USA Softball, will ⁣provide ​stability for the AUSL. “as we announce MLB‌ coming ‍into the fold formally into what we’re doing ​with ​the AUSL, you really ⁤see⁤ a full alignment of this sport ⁣behind this⁢ league, ⁢and that ​I think is ‍exciting for everyone,” Patricof said.

What’s next

The Athletes Unlimited softball league aims to solidify its​ position‌ as ‌a stable and consistent option ‌for women in ‍professional softball, with plans for expansion and ‍increased visibility through its partnership with MLB.