Sports fans will meet plenty of college softball stars during the Women's College World Series, and now, they'll be able to watch them graduate to the professional ranks, too.
Athletes Unlimited, a network of professional women's sports leagues in the United States, is launching a softball league in 2025. It will start with four teams and have a 24-game season, with play beginning on June 7.
The league will start out with the four squads traveling to 10 different cities around the country. It gained a major partner this week, with Major League Baseball announced it's purchasing an equity stake in the league.
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With more attention on the Women's College World Series than ever before, the AUSL hopes it can turn the momentum from this year's NCAA Tournament into a home run professional league.
Here's what to know about the Athletes Unlimited Softball League
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What is Athletes Unlimited Softball League?
AUSL is a new professional softball league that will start this summer with four teams. The league will being by barnstorming to 10 different cities across the country, with the hope it can become a city-based league by 2026. MLB announced it's investment in the league on Thursday.
A partnership that is first-of-its-kind.
— AUSL (@theAUSLofficial) May 29, 2025
AUSL x @MLB pic.twitter.com/erotnuoBnM
Some of the biggest names in softball are serving as advisors for the league in its first season, including Jennie Finch and Jessica Mendoza. AUSL is also signed with ESPN, which will air games on its family of networks.
Athletes Unlimited Softball League teams
AUSL is beginning with four teams: the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, Volts. There are no cities attached to these teams in the inaugural season of the league.
The AUSL had a 12-round player draft in January and a three-round college draft in April to fill out rosters. Each team has 16 players, who are all making at least $45,000 and can earn up to $75,000 with bonuses.
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When does Athletes Unlimited Softball League season start?
The AUSL season begins its 24-game season on June 7. Teams will travel around the country to 10 different cities and play each other at neutral sites. Games will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.
Who owns Athletes Unlimited Softball League?
MLB now owns an equity stake in the AUSL. The commissioner of the league is Kim Ng, the former general manager of the Marlins who was the first woman to serve as the general manager of a Big Four sports team in the United States.
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