Athlete Maternity, Parental Leave and Childcare Policy
Athletes Unlimited is committed to supporting athletes as whole people, both on and off the field, by creating an environment where they can compete at the highest level while balancing family life. Across both the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Regular Season and the All-Star Cup, the league has implemented comprehensive policies that provide meaningful support in the areas of maternity, parental leave, and childcare support, ensuring athletes can successfully manage their professional careers and their personal lives.
Birthing Parent
AUSL supports athletes throughout pregnancy and postpartum with flexibility and autonomy. Athletes who are pregnant and who receive medical clearance may elect to continue competing, with access to reasonable accommodations, including support for breastfeeding.
Recovery looks different for every mom. Postpartum athletes who are not medically cleared at the start of the season can return to play at any time once cleared, with no fixed deadline. AUSL gives new mothers the flexibility to take the time they need and rejoin the league when they are physically ready.
Athletes who take leave as an accommodation due to a pregnancy-related condition that affects their ability to play, or take leave to give birth, will receive 100% of their salary, plus any bonuses they have earned.
Importantly, pregnancy disclosure is entirely at the athlete’s discretion. While not required, consistent with any other condition, disclosure to medical staff is encouraged in order to provide the most informed medical care in the event of an emergency and to allow for individually-tailored adjustments during specialized physical treatments.
For those athletes who choose not to compete, the league offers multiple pathways:
- Marketing and Promotional Services: Athletes who are pregnant or have given birth within six months of the season’s start may elect not to compete while still performing marketing and promotional services. In this case, they receive their full base compensation for the season.
- Agreement Release: Alternatively, athletes may choose not to perform any services at all (playing or marketing), in which case they are released from their agreement with no further obligations or compensation.
Non-Birthing Parent
Player who become a parent through adoption, surrogacy, or legal guardianship, or because Player’s spouse or partner gives birth, are eligible for up to two weeks of leave. During this period, athletes receive 100% of their base compensation and earned performance bonuses. Advance notice is requested when possible, but the policy is designed to remain flexible when circumstances are unforeseen.
Childcare Support
AUSL offers comprehensive childcare support. During the regular season, athletes with children receive a childcare stipend, to offset childcare costs whether children are traveling with them, staying at home, or living in-market.
Athletes have the flexibility to choose from three family travel and housing models – home base, full travel, or hybrid – allowing them to determine what works best for their family. Across these options, the league provides travel for children and a caregiver, hotel accommodations or housing stipends, and logistical support throughout the season.
AUSL also covers initial season travel for children and caregivers, provides a dedicated rental car in both home and away markets, and ensures children and caregivers have all-access credentials at team facilities. Together, these benefits create a flexible and supportive environment for athletes balancing competition and family life.
All-Star Cup
Birthing Parent
Athletes continue to receive the same pregnancy-related protections and flexibility during the All-Star Cup. Athletes may compete if medically cleared and are supported with appropriate accommodations. Those who elected not to compete during the regular season due to pregnancy or recent birth may still be eligible for All-Star Cup compensation, provided they meet the established criteria.
Non-Birthing Parent
Player becomes a parent through adoption, surrogacy, or legal guardianship, or because Player’s spouse or partner gives birth, are eligible for up to two weeks of leave. Athletes may take up to two weeks of fully paid parental leave, receiving 100% of their selection bonuses, and any earned incentives.
Childcare Support
During the All-Star Cup, AUSL provides childcare support to meet the needs of athletes in a condensed competition format. Athletes receive a childcare stipend for the event period, regardless of whether their children travel with them.
The league also covers round-trip travel for both children and one caregiver and provides flexible housing options, including either an additional bedroom within hotel accommodations or a housing stipend for independent arrangements.
