Major League Baseball to invest in new women’s professional softball league
Major League Baseball (MLB) has joined the women’s sports investment train by partnering with the new Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), which is set to launch on June 7.
MLB, the third-wealthiest professional sports league in the world by revenue, recently announced its purchase of an equity stake of more than 20% in the fledgling project.
The AUSL will feature four teams playing a 24-game season in the traditional format and promises to create ground-breaking opportunities for the world’s best professional softball players.
Sports News Blitz writer Shameeka Voyiya reports on the story.
MLB investment to help grow softball
The announcement comes at a critical time as women’s sports experience increasing popularity worldwide and softball prepares to return to the spotlight at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“There's a tremendous amount of momentum in women's sports in general and softball specifically, and we figured that our partnership with AUSL can create the next great women's sport league,” MLB Deputy Commissioner Noah Garden told Reuters.
“It's a massive opportunity for growth in the sport and there's no better time than the present.”
Select games will air on the MLB Network channel and streaming service MLB.TV, providing audiences with softball league viewing straight away.
Meanwhile, AUSL athletes will begin to feature at MLB events, including the popular annual All-Star Game.
MLB, it must be said, has been a long-standing supporter of women’s softball, from youth level up to the national team.
However, its new partnership with the AUSL will take things to greater heights.
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Elite softball players set to benefit
13 of the 15 players on the U.S. national team roster are represented in the AUSL, with Olympic gold medalists Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman, and Natasha Watley on board as advisors.
“This is a watershed moment for Athletes Unlimited, for women's pro softball, and, I think, for women's pro sports overall,” Athletes Unlimited CEO and co-founder Jon Patricof told Reuters.
“Obviously, financial investments are very important. But there are certain things that money can't buy.
“Being able to secure the support, the expertise of MLB is exactly what we would have wanted and hoped for.”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred added in a statement, “During this extraordinarily exciting time for women’s sports, we want softball to thrive.”
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