Latest news with #KimNg
CBS News
3 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
MLB's investment in women's pro softball league is a thrill for UChicago alum commissioner
Major League Baseball is making a major investment in professional women's sports. MLB is partnering with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League — which is made up of the best pro softball players in the United States. Spectators can catch games in the northwest Chicago suburb of Rosemont this summer. Athletes Unlimited has been around since 2020. "It is just so fast-paced. It is action-packed," said Kim Ng, commissioner of the AUSL. "The athletes are incredible." Now, the AUSL is getting a major boost. Major League Baseball announced that it is investigating in the league — broadcasting some of the league's games on its network, helping with marketing, and offering financial support. "It's a day that I personally had been waiting for, for a long time," Ng said. Commissioner is a new title for Ng, but she isn't new to softball. She played in high school, and s she was a Maroon at the University of Chicago — where she played middle infielder while majoring in public policy, the Chicago Maroon recounted. After graduating from UChicago in 1990, Kim started her career in Chicago. "I was an intern for the Chicago White Sox, and then I became full-time," said Ng. "I was there for six years." Ng spent 10 years altogether with MLB. She advanced to assistant director of baseball operations with the White Sox in 1995, and moved to the New York Yankees as assistant general manager under Brian Cashman in 1998. She held executive positions with the Los Angeles Dodgers and in the MLB offices before being named general manager of the Miami Marlins in 2020. Now, she's back to softball. "Our spring training just started yesterday," she said. The AUSL season begins June 7 in Rosemont. Four teams will complete in 24 games over the course of two months — launching pro softball into the limelight. "I think it's such an incredible statement for the sport," said Ng.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
MLB to back Athletes Unlimited Softball League ahead of inaugural season
Major League Baseball said Thursday it will invest in Athletes Unlimited, backing the organization's softball league a week before its June 7 debut. The investment is MLB's first in a professional softball league. '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 statement. '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 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.' Through MLB's investment for an undisclosed amount, it will support the league's operational costs and major growth initiatives. It hopes to bolster the nascent league's visibility through several MLB platforms, including airing some AUSL games on and the MLB Network — which will broadcast one of its two Opening Day games next Saturday. Ng, the former Miami Marlins executive who in 2020 became the first female general manager in MLB, was named the commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League last month. She previously served as a senior adviser to the four-team league, which will compete in paired competitions this summer. '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.' In Year One, AUSL teams — the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts — will play 24 games each from June 7 to July 23, and the top two teams will compete in a best-of-three series championship series July 26-28. The following month, 60 players will compete for an individual championship in the 21-game AUSL All-Star Cup — which will use Athletes Unlimited's unique scoring system. During its inaugural season, AUSL games will be contended across 12 cities. In 2026, it will become a city-based league. Athletes Unlimited has offered softball since 2020, when the broader organization was founded to oversee professional women's basketball, softball and volleyball leagues. It formerly operated a lacrosse league, which ceased operation in 2024. Its former softball program ran from 2020 to 2024, and crowned individual instead of team champions each season — a distinct format that contrasts with its current, more traditional team-based configuration. The league featured former college standouts including ex-James Madison star Odicci Alexander and Cat Osterman, a former Texas and Team USA pitcher who now serves the general manager of the Volts.
CNN
3 days ago
- Business
- CNN
Major League Baseball announces investment in new pro softball league
Major League Baseball is purchasing a stake in Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) as part of its efforts to grow the league ahead of its inaugural season, MLB said in a statement Thursday. The league will work to help raise the profile of the AUSL and its athletes through editorial, social media activities, marketing, events and distribution, airing some AUSL games on MLB Network and according to the statement. MLB purchased an equity stake worth more than 20% in the company, a source told ESPN senior MLB Insider Jeff Passan. The AUSL, which launches this year, will feature four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Vaults – playing 24 games each against one another between June 7 and July 23. The top two teams will then compete in a best-of-three series, held between July 26 and 28. '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,' AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng said in a statement. 'Together, we're going to reach new fans and inspire the next generation of softball players.' MLB commissioner Rob Manfred added: '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.' Women's elite sports revenues are projected to reach a record $2.35 billion this year, according to Deloitte, more than triple the market size in 2022 – though the underlying context of the report was that disparities between sports, markets, and even within leagues persist.
CNN
3 days ago
- Business
- CNN
Major League Baseball announces investment in new pro softball league
Major League Baseball is purchasing a stake in Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) as part of its efforts to grow the league ahead of its inaugural season, MLB said in a statement Thursday. The league will work to help raise the profile of the AUSL and its athletes through editorial, social media activities, marketing, events and distribution, airing some AUSL games on MLB Network and according to the statement. MLB purchased an equity stake worth more than 20% in the company, a source told ESPN senior MLB Insider Jeff Passan. The AUSL, which launches this year, will feature four teams – the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Vaults – playing 24 games each against one another between June 7 and July 23. The top two teams will then compete in a best-of-three series, held between July 26 and 28. '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,' AUSL Commissioner Kim Ng said in a statement. 'Together, we're going to reach new fans and inspire the next generation of softball players.' MLB commissioner Rob Manfred added: '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.' Women's elite sports revenues are projected to reach a record $2.35 billion this year, according to Deloitte, more than triple the market size in 2022 – though the underlying context of the report was that disparities between sports, markets, and even within leagues persist.
UPI
3 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.
