Latest news with #All-StarGame
3 days ago
- Business
MLB invests in Athletes Unlimited Softball League ahead of June debut
Major League Baseball is investing in Athletes Unlimited to support its softball league that will debut next month, marking the first time MLB will have a comprehensive partnership with a professional women's sports league. MLB said Thursday it was making a strategic investment in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League of an undisclosed amount for operational costs and a commitment to help it gain visibility in various ways, including assistance with content, marketing and sales, events, distribution, editorial, and digital and social platforms. That includes marketing the AUSL and its athletes during MLB's All-Star Game and throughout the postseason. 'This is something we're really excited about,' MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told The Associated Press. 'We studied the space hard. We think it's a real opportunity and we're excited to be involved.' Athletes Unlimited has featured softball since 2020, when it unveiled a unique format that crowned an individual champion. The company will launch a league with a traditional, team-based format starting June 7 and will keep its individual format for the AUSL All-Star Cup that follows. Manfred noted that interest in women's sports had 'escalated significantly' in recent years and his league had been looking for ways to get more involved, including the possible launch of its own softball league. He said Athletes Unlimited's overall success and its strong infrastructure helped make the decision to collaborate easier. 'We thought rather than starting on our own and competing, that finding a place where we could invest and grow a business was a better opportunity for us,' Manfred said. Kim Ng, a former Major League Baseball executive, signed on as an adviser with the AUSL and was promoted to commissioner in April. Ng is the former general manager of the Miami Marlins, the first female GM in any of the major U.S. pro sports leagues, and has three World Series rings from a combined 21 years in the front offices of the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. 'As the process moved forward and it looked like we were going to make an investment, they hired Kim, and we had a long relationship with Kim, and it just added additional comfort to the idea of making the investment,' Manfred said. Athletes Unlimited co-founder Jon Patricof said MLB's commitment to increasing the AUSL's visibility is as important as the financial investment. 'They're committed to really elevating the AUSL,' he said. 'It's probably about one of the most difficult things for any sports league to do which is to get visibility and break through to new audiences, and I think MLB is already doing that for the AUSL, and there's going to be a lot more to come.' Women's pro softball leagues and independent teams have come and gone over the years, but none have offered a consistent option for women to have a stable future in the sport. It appears that might change, with the help of softball greats Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza and Natasha Watley as AUSL advisors. On June 7, the Bandits and Talons will open with a three-game series in Rosemont, Illinois, and the Blaze and Volts will start off with a three-game series in Wichita, Kansas. The four teams will play 24 games this season as touring properties that will play games in 12 cities. The top two teams will compete in the AUSL Championship, a best-of-three series July 26-28 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Patricof said the league plans to expand to six teams next season and be city based. MLB already supports several women's softball and baseball initiatives, including a partnership with USA Softball and operation of the MLB Develops girls baseball pipeline. It is not involved with the upstart Women's Professional Baseball League, which plans to launch in 2026 as the first pro baseball league for women since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League — of "A League of Their Own" fame — folded in 1954. Manfred said he sees a bright future ahead for AUSL. 'I fully expect that they will expand, and we hope that we will end up with a league that is sustainable on its own, a good investment for us, and a partner in growing diamond sports internationally,' he said. Patricof said the partnership with MLB and the already existing relationship between the Athletes Unlimited and USA Softball combine to help give the AUSL stability. 'As we announce MLB coming into the fold formally into what we're doing with the AUSL, you really see a full alignment of this sport behind this league, and that I think is exciting for everyone,' Patricof said. 'People who have sat on the sidelines or maybe have watched pro softball from a little bit of distance — everybody's now jumped in, and I think that is an exciting moment for people who've been around this sport.'
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Sky will retire Candace Parker's No. 3 jersey in August: ‘Chicago raised me and this will always be home'
Candace Parker will be enshrined at Wintrust Arena this summer. The Chicago Sky will retire Parker's No. 3 jersey on Aug. 25 before a game against the Las Vegas Aces. Parker, who grew up in Naperville, is the first former Sky player to have her jersey retired, an honor that reflects her stature in the history of Illinois women's basketball as much as her impact on the franchise. Despite playing only two seasons for the Sky, Parker led the team to its greatest run of success: the 2021 WNBA championship and a franchise-best 26-10 regular season in 2022. Parker averaged 13.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.1 blocks over her two seasons in Chicago and was selected to the All-Star Game in both seasons and to the All-WNBA first team in 2022. 'Candace Parker is a legend, future Hall of Famer and synonymous with Illinois basketball,' Sky President/CEO Adam Fox said in a statement. 'We're thrilled she decided to come home to Chicago to help the Sky win a championship in 2021. 'Candace has left an indelible mark on women's basketball at every level and has inspired countless players and fans through her outstanding leadership and basketball talent on and off the court. We are honored to retire her jersey and celebrate her incredible legacy as a Chicago Sky player.' Parker won two Class AA state titles (2003, '04) and three Ms. Basketball of Illinois awards (2002, '03, '04) at Naperville Central. In 2001 she threw down her first live-game dunk, believed to be the first documented dunk by a female player in the state. After winning two NCAA titles at Tennessee under coach Pat Summitt, Parker was drafted with the No. 1 pick in 2008 by the Los Angeles Sparks. She played her first 13 WNBA seasons in Los Angeles, winning a title in 2016 and two MVP awards (2008, '13). The Sparks also will retire Parker's jersey in a ceremony during a June 29 game against the Sky. Parker signed with the Sky as a free agent in 2021 and they went on a surprising championship run that year after a .500 regular season. After the 2022 season she departed in free agency for the Las Vegas Aces, with whom she won a third title in 2023. Parker re-signed with the Aces for 2024 but announced her retirement shortly before the season after struggling to recover from a foot injury. Although most of her professional career took place on the West Coast or abroad, Parker credited her ties to the Chicago area as a driving force throughout her 16-year WNBA tenure. 'Growing up in Naperville, playing on courts around here with my brothers and watching Chicago teams like the Bulls who became synonymous with winning, I never imagined one day my jersey would hang in the rafters of my hometown team,' Parker said in a statement. 'Coming home to Chicago and helping bring the city its first WNBA championship here — it was personal. I'm beyond grateful to the city, the fans and everyone who's been part of my journey. Chicago raised me and this will always be home.'
NBC Sports
3 days ago
- Business
- NBC Sports
MLB invests in Athletes Unlimited Softball League ahead of June debut
Eric Samulski dives into the closer-by-committee situation with the Detroit Tigers, sharing why Will Vest is likely the "primary option" after picking up his seventh save of the season. Major League Baseball is investing in Athletes Unlimited to support its softball league that will debut next month, marking the first time MLB will have a comprehensive partnership with a professional women's sports league. MLB said Thursday it was making a strategic investment in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League of an undisclosed amount for operational costs and a commitment to help it gain visibility in various ways, including assistance with content, marketing and sales, events, distribution, editorial, and digital and social platforms. That includes marketing the AUSL and its athletes during MLB's All-Star Game and throughout the postseason. 'This is something we're really excited about,' MLB commissioner Rob Manfred told The Associated Press. 'We studied the space hard. We think it's a real opportunity and we're excited to be involved.' Athletes Unlimited has featured softball since 2020, when it unveiled a unique format that crowned an individual champion. The company will launch a league with a traditional, team-based format starting June 7 and will keep its individual format for the AUSL All-Star Cup that follows. Manfred noted that interest in women's sports had 'escalated significantly' in recent years and his league had been looking for ways to get more involved, including the possible launch of its own softball league. He said Athletes Unlimited's overall success and its strong infrastructure helped make the decision to collaborate easier. 'We thought rather than starting on our own and competing, that finding a place where we could invest and grow a business was a better opportunity for us,' Manfred said. Kim Ng, a former Major League Baseball executive, signed on as an adviser with the AUSL and was promoted to commissioner in April. Ng is the former general manager of the Miami Marlins, the first female GM in any of the major U.S. pro sports leagues, and has three World Series rings from a combined 21 years in the front offices of the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. 'As the process moved forward and it looked like we were going to make an investment, they hired Kim, and we had a long relationship with Kim, and it just added additional comfort to the idea of making the investment,' Manfred said. Athletes Unlimited co-founder Jon Patricof said MLB's commitment to increasing the AUSL's visibility is as important as the financial investment. 'They're committed to really elevating the AUSL,' he said. 'It's probably about one of the most difficult things for any sports league to do which is to get visibility and break through to new audiences, and I think MLB is already doing that for the AUSL, and there's going to be a lot more to come.' Women's pro softball leagues and independent teams have come and gone over the years, but none have offered a consistent option for women to have a stable future in the sport. It appears that might change, with the help of softball greats Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza and Natasha Watley as AUSL advisors. On June 7, the Bandits and Talons will open with a three-game series in Rosemont, Illinois, and the Blaze and Volts will start off with a three-game series in Wichita, Kansas. The four teams will play 24 games this season as touring properties that will play games in 12 cities. The top two teams will compete in the AUSL Championship, a best-of-three series July 26-28 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Patricof said the league plans to expand to six teams next season and be city based. MLB already supports several women's softball and baseball initiatives, including a partnership with USA Softball and operation of the MLB Develops girls baseball pipeline. It is not involved with the upstart Women's Professional Baseball League, which plans to launch in 2026 as the first pro baseball league for women since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League - of 'A League of Their Own' fame - folded in 1954. Manfred said he sees a bright future ahead for AUSL. 'I fully expect that they will expand, and we hope that we will end up with a league that is sustainable on its own, a good investment for us, and a partner in growing diamond sports internationally,' he said. Patricof said the partnership with MLB and the already existing relationship between the Athletes Unlimited and USA Softball combine to help give the AUSL stability. 'As we announce MLB coming into the fold formally into what we're doing with the AUSL, you really see a full alignment of this sport behind this league, and that I think is exciting for everyone,' Patricof said. 'People who have sat on the sidelines or maybe have watched pro softball from a little bit of distance - everybody's now jumped in, and I think that is an exciting moment for people who've been around this sport.'
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs Off to Best Start in Almost 10 Years Thanks to These Two Outfielders
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After back-to-back disappointing seasons for the Chicago Cubs, this year felt like the make-or-break season. Between having the highest paid manager in MLB, the acquisition of superstar Kyle Tucker and other things, Chicago needed this season to be the one in which it got back on track. The season is a little over 1/3 of the way complete and it appears the Cubs have done just that. Chicago is a season-high 14 games over .500, its best start through 56 games since it started 40-16 in 2016. Not all of the success, but most of it, can be attributed to two players that are well on their way to their first All-Star Game appearances. CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 23: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with teammate Seiya Suzuki #27 after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati... CINCINNATI, OHIO - MAY 23: Pete Crow-Armstrong #4 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with teammate Seiya Suzuki #27 after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 23, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio MoreSeiya Suzuki, OF/DH Suzuki was a solid player in each of his first three seasons in the MLB, and he is finally having his breakout year in his fourth. He is currently batting .273 with a .903 OPS and an MLB-best 51 RBI. He has constantly produced in the middle of the Cubs order and has made himself the perfect No. 3 hitter between Kyle Tucker and another player we'll get to in a moment. Suzuki is well on pace to break his career-high home run total of 21 that he set two seasons ago, and with continued run production and slugging, he could find himself as a dark-horse MVP candidate. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF Much like Suzuki, Crow-Armstrong is undoubtedly in the middle of his breakout season and at just 23 years old, we could be getting a glimpse at the next 10 years of his career. Crow-Armstrong has a .275 average with a team-leading 15 home runs. He is second ine MLB with 50 RBI, just one behind his teammate. Crow-Armstrong has also been a weapon on the bases, as he is 16-for-19 in stolen base chances. He leads the National League with a 3.2 WAR, and trails only Aaron Judge for the MLB lead. He has rapidly positioned himself as a front-line MVP candidate and it is looking more and more likely that both he and Suzuki will make their first career All-Star game appearances this season. we interrupt your wednesday evening with a PCA home run. enjoy! — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 29, 2025 More MLB: Phillies Executive Reveals Call-Up Plan for Top Prospect Andrew Painter
UPI
4 days ago
- Business
- UPI
MLB to buy stake in women's Athletics Unlimited Softball League, grow sport
May 29 (UPI) -- MLB agreed to partner with Athletes Unlimited Softball League, while providing sales and marketing efforts, promotional support and broadcasts, the league announced Thursday. A source with knowledge of the transaction declined to detail specific financial terms, but said MLB is making a "substantial investment" in the women's league, which will start its first season June 7. "Major League Baseball's investment in the AUSL represents an opportunity to support softball's long-term growth and expand our engagement with these outstanding athletes and their fans," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a news release. "As a part of our broader commitment to growing softball and creating more opportunities for women and girls in sports, this agreement reflects our confidence in [AUSL commissioner] Kim Ng's leadership, the AUSL vision, and the incredible talent of its athletes. "During this extraordinarily exciting time for women's sports, we want softball to thrive. MLB is committed to help build a sustainable and impactful league that drives fandom, serves the softball community and benefits all female athletes." For the first time ever, @MLB is going to partner with and invest in a women's professional softball league - @theAUSLofficial. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng tell CBS Mornings why now was the right time to make the move that could change the future of... CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) May 29, 2025 Select AUSL games will air on MLB Network and in addition to on ESPN platforms. MLB's financial investment also will assist with league operation costs and growth initiatives. The first MLB Network broadcast will air at 7:30 p.m. EDT June 7 from Wichita, Kan. MLB plans to promote ASUL athletes and storylines on digital platforms and incorporate those efforts into MLB events, including the postseason and All-Star Game. "This is a watershed moment for women's sports and especially for softball," Ng said. "MLB's investment will supercharge our efforts to build the sustainable professional league this sport has long deserved, and sends a powerful message about the value of female athletes and the importance of creating professional opportunities for them. "Together, we're going to reach new fans and inspire the next generation of softball players." The Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts will play 24 games apiece during the AUSL's inaugural season, which will end July 23. The AUSL Championship will be held July 26 to 28 at the University of Alabama. A group of 60 players will compete in the AUSL All-Star Cup in August.
