NEW YORK — Athletes Unlimited announced on June 4, 2024, the formation of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, a new professional softball league set to launch in 2025 with ESPN as its founding broadcast partner. The AUSL will feature four teams playing a 30-game season in a traditional team format, distinct from the existing Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball Championship.
The league will tour six to eight cities during its inaugural 2025 season before transitioning to a city-based model in 2026. Player salaries will average $40,000 to $45,000, with potential earnings up to $75,000 including bonuses. Co-founders Jon Patricof and Jonathon Soros led the announcement, with softball legends Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman, Natasha Watley, and Jennie Finch named as league advisors.
ESPN’s commitment as founding broadcast partner gives the AUSL immediate national visibility, with games set to air across ESPN platforms beginning in 2025.
A New Era for Professional Softball
The announcement marked the most significant development in women’s professional softball since the closure of National Pro Fastpitch in 2023. Unlike previous professional softball ventures, the AUSL was conceived with a major broadcast partner from the outset, addressing the distribution challenges that hampered earlier leagues.
Athletes Unlimited, which had operated individual softball seasons in a touring, single-city format since 2020, designed the AUSL as a team-based league with traditional franchise structures. The pivot from the Athletes Unlimited individual-scoring model to a conventional team format reflected feedback from fans, athletes and broadcast partners who wanted a more familiar competitive framework.
The ESPN partnership guaranteed national television exposure from day one, with plans for 50 games annually across ESPN platforms. The multi-year commitment signaled ESPN’s confidence in the league’s commercial viability and the growing audience for women’s professional sports.
Foundation for Growth
The partnership laid the groundwork for what would become a rapid expansion timeline. Within months of the announcement, the league would secure additional corporate partnerships, name Kim Ng as commissioner, establish four charter teams and begin the process of identifying permanent home cities.
The initial four-team structure was designed with expansion in mind, and the league would grow to six teams before the start of its second season in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AUSL?
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is a professional softball league featuring teams in a traditional format, with games airing on ESPN.
When was the AUSL announced?
The AUSL was announced on June 4, 2024, with ESPN as its founding broadcast partner.
Who are the AUSL advisors?
Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman, Natasha Watley, and Jennie Finch serve as softball legend advisors to the league.
About the AUSL
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is a professional women’s softball league featuring six franchises competing in a 50-game season. Founded in partnership with ESPN, the AUSL launched in 2025 and expanded to six permanent home-city teams for 2026 under Commissioner Kim Ng. Games air across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ABC.
About Aspen Eighty
Aspen Eighty is a female-founded, independent digital publication covering the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. We publish breaking news, scores, draft analysis, and player profiles for all six AUSL teams. Our mission is to amplify women’s professional softball and inspire the next generation of athletes.
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