The Athletes Unlimited Softball League opens its inaugural season on June 7. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the 2025 season.
What is the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL)?
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League is the premier professional women’s softball league in the United States. The AUSL regular season delivers a 24-game professional softball season across 10 major cities in the U.S., culminating in a best-of-3 Championship.
It is complemented by the AUSL All-Star Cup – a four-week season where 60 professional softball players compete utilizing Athletes Unlimited’s innovative format, taking place in Rosemont, IL, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC.
When was Opening Day of the AUSL?
Opening Day was June 7. The Bandits faced the Talons at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois. The Blaze hosted the Volts at Wilkins Stadium in Wichita, Kansas.
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♬ original sound – AUSL
How many teams are in the AUSL?
Four teams are competing in the inaugural 2025 AUSL season – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Volts.
How many games are in the AUSL season?
Each team will play 24 games in the inaugural AUSL season.
How many players are on each AUSL team?
There are 16 players on each team. Click each team to explore their roster.
Bandits | Blaze | Talons | Volts
How much money do the players make?
The average salary for players in the AUSL is $45,000, with opportunities to earn up to $75,000 for the season.
Do the teams have general managers?
Yes, each team has a General Manager. The GMs of the 2025 inaugural season are:
- Jenny Dalton-Hill (Bandits)
- Dana Sorensen (Blaze)
- Lisa Fernandez (Talons)
- Cat Osterman (Volts)
Who are the Head Coaches?
The Head Coaches of the 2025 inaugural season are:
- Stacey Nuveman-Deniz (Bandits)
- Alisa Goler (Blaze)
- Howard Dobson (Talons)
- Kelly Kretschman (Volts)
Will the teams be city-based?
The AUSL will become a city-based league beginning in 2026, while the inaugural season in 2025 will be a touring property.
What cities will the AUSL play in?
In 2025, the AUSL will be a touring property featuring games in the following cities:
- Rosemont, Illinois
- Wichita, Kansas
- Sulphur, Louisiana
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Norman, Oklahoma
- Omaha, Nebraska
- Seattle, Washington
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Round Rock, Texas
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama
The 2025 AUSL All-Star Cup will feature games in Rosemont, Illinois, as well as Holly Springs and Greenville, NC.
Will games be televised?
Yes. ESPN has signed on as a founding broadcast partner of the AUSL and will carry select games exclusively on its linear platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU) in 2025.
Select games will also air on MLB Network, MLB.TV, and MLB.com. The full AUSL broadcast schedule can be found here.
Is anyone else involved in the AUSL?
Athletes Unlimited will own and operate the AUSL. Softball legends Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman, and Natasha Watley have signed on as advisors to the AUSL, consulting with AU leadership and current athletes on the strategic direction of the new league. Former MLB Executive Kim Ng is the Commissioner. USA Softball is a strategic partner.
The General Managers of the inaugural 2025 season are Lisa Fernandez, Jenny Dalton-Hill, Osterman, and Dana Sorensen. The Head Coaches are Howard Dobson, Stacey Nuveman-Deniz, Kelly Kretschman, and Alisa Goler.
What is the AUSL All-Star Cup?
The AUSL All-Star Cup is a 21-game season in which 60 professional softball players compete utilizing Athletes Unlimited’s innovative format, taking place in Rosemont, IL, Raleigh, and Greenville, NC.
How can fans learn more about the league?
Fans can sign up for the AUSL and team newsletters, and follow us on social media for upcoming announcements via this page and at @theAUSLofficial. #AUSL
