Uniting the Diamond: MLB's Partnership with Athletes Unlimited Softball League is Changing the Game for Women in Sports

Major League Baseball pushes for equality on the diamond after announcing its first ever partnership with a professional women’s sports league, marking a pivotal moment for girls in the game. 

The First of Its Kind

Courtesy of AUSL

Major League Baseball announced its one-of-a-kind partnership with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League this past week. Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), which launched in 2020, is set to kick off its inaugural season in June – now backed with the financial, promotional, and broadcast support of Major League Baseball. MLB has made a huge eight-figure investment in AUSL, giving the league support it has never seen before.

Through this partnership, MLB will use its effort to raise fan exposure to AUSL through marketing, digital, and social platforms. Select softball games will also be broadcasted on MLB Network and MLB.TV. This will not only expand softball’s audience, but also advance the league’s mission to grow the game for women all over the world. 

The League

Courtesy of AUSL

Athletes Unlimited is home to several professional sports including softball, basketball, and volleyball, offering fans year-round excitement. The league consists of four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts – bringing 60 of the best softball players in the game together to compete across 10 major cities throughout the United States. 

Opening Day for AUSL will take place on Saturday, June 7, with the Volts taking on the Blaze in Wichita, Kansas at 7:30 pm on MLB Network. In addition to select games being broadcasted on MLB Network, the studio crew will feature game highlights throughout the season. The schedule will consist of 24 games, concluding on July 23. The top two teams will compete in the AUSL Championship – a best-of-three series set– on the weekend of July 26th. 

Kim Ng, former General Manager of the Miami Marlins, made headlines when she left Major League Baseball to become the commissioner of Athletes Unlimited Softball – making this partnership a no-brainer. She’s joined by some of softball’s most iconic figures, including Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman, and Natasha Watley, who serve as advisors for the league.

Changing The Game

Courtesy of MLB

This groundbreaking partnership is a huge step forward for women’s sports. It demonstrates Major League Baseball’s commitment to bridging the game and creating new opportunities for both female athletes and fans. Softball has seen a rise in popularity in recent years – especially at the collegiate level, driven by the buzz surrounding the Women’s College World Series. As these athletes transition to the professional level, fans will have the chance to continue following their favorite players beyond college. 

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that this investment is an effort to support the long-term growth of softball. Major League Baseball plans to engage with these notable female athletes and  their fans. Manfred has the utmost faith and confidence in Ng’s ability to take Athletes Unlimited Softball League to the next level. 

Ultimately, this collaboration between Major League Baseball and the Athletes Unlimited Softball League shows that the MLB wants the game of softball to thrive. This is an exciting time for women and girls in sports, as the spotlight on women’s athletics continues to grow. Women’s sports captivate audiences everywhere, and it’s time you join in too.