MLB has invested in a new pro softball league. The inaugural season begins in Illinois
The first steps toward a major professional softball league are taking shape, and the state of Illinois will play an early part in the launch.
Major League Baseball announced it has made a "strategic investment" in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, which will begin play this season on June 7 with some games in suburban Chicago.
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MLB called the partnership a "first of its kind," with an aim to make the pro softball league an "established, sustainable entity." The deal includes joint sales and marketing, promotion and broadcast on the MLB Network and MLB.com, according to a release.
Athletes Unlimited softball started in 2020 but played in a format where players were the center of the league, not teams, according to USA TODAY. AUSL is launching with four teams — Bandits, Blaze, Talons, Volts — for its inaugural season. Each team has rosters of 16, with players making at least $45,000, according to its website. Players can also earn up to $75,000 with bonuses.
The AUSL plans to become a city-based league in 2026, but the inaugural 2025 season will be played on a touring basis, with the four teams traveling to 10 different cities in the 24-game season. The league is also signed by ESPN, with games airing on its family of networks, according to USA TODAY.
Women's College World Series: 3 players from Illinois part of NCAA softball championships
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Here is a look at the eight game dates scheduled for Rosemont, Illinois, with all 11 games played at The Stadium at Parkway Bank Sports Complex, located at 27 Jennie Finch Way.
Saturday, June 7: Talons vs. Bandits, 2 p.m.
Sunday, June 8: Talons vs. Bandits, 1 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10: Talons vs. Bandits
Monday, July 7 (DH): Bandits vs. Volts and Blaze vs. Talons, 6 p.m.
Tuesday, July 8 (DH): Blaze vs. Bandits and Volts vs. Talons, 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 9 (DH): Blaze vs. Bandits and Volts vs. Talons, 10:30 a.m.
Tuesday, July 22: Blaze vs. Bandits, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 23: Blaze vs. Bandits, 7:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Athletes Unlimited Softball League games played in Rosemont, Illinois
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