Breaking News: ESPN, Athletes Unlimited Ink Multi-Year Deal for 50+ National Games

Breaking News: ESPN, Athletes Unlimited Ink Multi-Year Deal

Editors Note: Extra Inning Softball has received permission to publish the following release, which was provided by Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). The announcement was made public yesterday and is authorized for immediate distribution.

October 29, 2025 – New York, N.Y. — Following an incredibly successful inaugural season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), ESPN and Athletes Unlimited (AU) today announced a multi-year rights extension that strengthens ESPN’s role as an official broadcast partner for AU’s professional leagues in softball, basketball, and volleyball. The expanded agreement deepens ESPN’s investment in women’s sports and reflects its ongoing commitment to spotlighting top-tier female athletes across its platforms.

As part of this three-year agreement, ESPN will carry 50 exclusive AUSL games annually beginning in 2026, including 47 regular-season matchups and the best-of-three AUSL Championship Series. Coverage will span ESPN platforms, highlighted by a marquee game on ABC — the first time professional softball will ever air on broadcast television in the U.S. This long-term commitment comes on the heels of a breakout AUSL debut season that attracted a growing fan base of softball followers and new professional sports fans alike.

“The growth we’ve seen across Athletes Unlimited’s leagues speaks to the power and appeal of women’s sports,” said Rosalyn Durant, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions. “We’re excited to deepen our partnership and bring even more of these moments and athletes to fans everywhere.”

In its inaugural season, the AUSL delivered strong performances across key metrics, signaling significant momentum for the future of women’s professional softball. AUSL viewership on ESPN rose 88% year over year (across ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU) compared to the prior season, with the Championship Series averaging 230,000 viewers on ESPN. In addition, the league sold out 24 games, merchandise sales topped $1 million, and digital engagement surged, with more than 237 million social media impressions and 450,000 new followers gained.

This significant renewal arrives as ESPN experiences record-breaking engagement with softball content. The 2025 Women’s College World Series Finals, featuring Texas and Texas Tech, averaged 2.2 million viewers across linear networks — the most-watched Finals on record and up 13% from last year’s previous all-time high. Overall, the WCWS averaged 1.3 million viewers across 15 games, up 24% year over year and marking the most-watched edition ever.

Likewise, ESPN delivered the most-watched Little League Softball game ever, as the 2025 Little League Softball World Series Championship averaged 1.4 million viewers (+139% vs. 2024), with the tournament as a whole averaging 347,000 viewers (+66% year over year). Together, these milestones underscore ESPN’s unmatched softball footprint — connecting audiences from youth to college to professional play.

As part of the expanded partnership, coverage of Athletes Unlimited’s basketball and volleyball competitions will grow significantly, with all 24 games from each season airing annually on ESPN platforms. This increased carriage represents a meaningful step forward in elevating the visibility of both sports, offering a prominent platform through which fans can more easily discover, follow, and engage with the leagues.

“ESPN has played a pivotal role in the success of Athletes Unlimited, giving our world-class athletes the opportunity to shine on the most prominent stage in sports and serving as the undisputed home for fans of softball, basketball, and volleyball,” said Cheri Kempf, Chief Broadcast Officer of Athletes Unlimited. “This renewed and expanded partnership affirms the strength of our properties and reflects the growing enthusiasm for women’s professional sports. We are excited to continue collaborating with ESPN’s outstanding team to elevate the AUSL, AU Pro Basketball, and AU Pro Volleyball Championship even further and deliver exceptional experiences for fans and brands alike.”

About Athletes Unlimited:
Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, Athletes Unlimited owns and operates professional women’s softball, volleyball, and basketball leagues featuring world-class competition and fan experiences. The organization stands out as one driven by the athletes who play in its leagues, with athlete representation on the company’s board of directors, each league led by a Player Executive Committee, and players sharing in long-term profits of the company — all while shaping policies that support women in sports. Athletes Unlimited is the first professional sports league to be organized as a Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit AUProSports.com.

Media Contacts:
Scott Miranda — scott@mirandaco.net, 914-806-6771
Jeff Heckelman — jeff@jeffheckelman.com, 631-312-7327

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