MLB Makes Historic Investment in Women's Softball League

Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced a strategic investment in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), marking its first significant financial commitment to a women's professional sports league. The partnership aims to elevate women's softball, especially as the sport prepares for its return to the Olympic stage at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The AUSL is set to launch on June 7, 2025, featuring four teams—Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts—that will compete in a 24-game season across 12 cities. The inaugural season will serve as a touring league, with plans to transition to a city-based format in 2026.

Kim Ng, former general manager of the Miami Marlins, has been appointed as the league's commissioner. Ng made history in 2020 as the first female general manager in the four major North American professional sports leagues. Her extensive experience includes roles with the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and as MLB's senior vice president of baseball operations.

MLB's support for the AUSL encompasses more than financial backing. The league will receive media exposure through MLB Network and MLB.TV, providing a significant platform for women's softball. Additionally, AUSL athletes will be integrated into major MLB events, such as the All-Star Game, enhancing visibility and fostering collaboration between men's and women's professional sports.

This partnership signifies a substantial step forward for women's professional sports, reflecting a broader trend of increased investment and visibility. The collaboration between MLB and AUSL highlights a commitment to gender equity in sports and provides aspiring female athletes with enhanced opportunities and role models. The timing aligns with the return of softball to the Olympic stage at the LA28 Games, potentially boosting the sport's popularity and participation rates.

While MLB has supported women's softball at various levels, this marks its first significant financial investment in a women's professional league. The move parallels growing investments in women's sports, such as the WNBA and NWSL, which have seen increased viewership and financial backing in recent years.

Athletes Unlimited, established in 2020, is a women's multi-sport organization that has introduced innovative formats in professional sports. The AUSL is their latest venture, aiming to provide a sustainable platform for women's professional softball.

The financial details of MLB's investment have not been disclosed.

This collaboration between MLB and AUSL represents a significant milestone in the pursuit of gender equity in professional sports, with the potential to elevate women's softball on both national and international stages.