Latest news with #MLBAll-StarGame
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
MLB takes bold step into women's sports with Athletes Unlimited Softball stake
Image Source: Getty MLB is going big by investing in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), a new women's professional softball league that launches its first season on June 7, 2025. This is MLB's first major investment in a women's professional sports league and will bring financial and promotional support to women's softball as the sport is blowing up. MLB partners with AUSL to boost women's softball MLB announced on May 29, 2025, that it's buying over 20% of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, giving a major boost to the new league that's set to start with four teams playing 24 games each in 12 cities across the country. That multimillion-dollar deal will go towards funding things such as running the league and promoting it to more fans. — MLB (@MLB) Marketing the product and airing the games will be a joint effort of MLB, including the first game at 7:00 PM ET on June 7, 2025, aired on MLB Network and ESPN's acquisition of the rights to broadcast all 72 games will ensure fans never have to worry about finding a channel to watch on. Also Read: Why the Los Angeles Angels' offence continues to struggle after loss to the New York Yankees This is a big deal because it's rare for a major men's sports league like MLB to invest so much in a women's league after it's created, unlike the NBA, which started the WNBA. The AUSL, run by Athletes Unlimited, which also has women's basketball and volleyball leagues, wants to make softball a sport that lasts for years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Truque caseiro noturno eficaz contra a papada (faça hoje mesmo) Revista & Saúde Saiba Mais Undo MLB's support will help get more people excited about the league by showing games and players at big events like the MLB All-Star Game and playoffs. Kim Ng's leadership and softball's growing popularity The AUSL is off to a strong start with Kim Ng as its new commissioner, hired in April 2025 to lead the league. Ng, who previously operated the Miami Marlins baseball organization and played on the collegiate level in softball has a wealth of experience and passion for the game. Meanwhile, famous softball icons Jennie Finch, Cat Osterman and Jessica Mendoza, and some of the best players in the game – Lexi Kilfoyl and Megan Faraimo, who will be playing in the league following the drafts in January 2025 and May 2025. Women's sports are becoming super popular, with over $1 billion in revenue each year, and softball is a big part of that. The 2024 Women's College World Series drew over 2 million viewers, representing a 24% increase from the previous year, underscoring the growing popularity of softball. With softball coming back to the Olympics in 2028, the AUSL plans to grow even more, moving to a city-based league in 2026 with six teams. MLB's help will make sure more fans see the games and young girls have a pro league to dream about joining. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
All-Star Game: MLB, Braves announce $4 million for community projects in metro Atlanta
The Atlanta Braves will host the 2025 MLB All-Star Game in just a few weeks at Truist Park. But the legacy the Braves and MLB want to leave off the field will be just as important as the All Stars on the field. Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] MLB and the Atlanta Braves Foundation announced on Wednesday that they will invest $4 million into community projects throughout metro Atlanta. Danielle Bedasse, the Braves vice president for community affairs and Braves foundation executive director, said the Braves worked closely with MLB to select the projects. 'Obviously the Midsummer Classic allows us to celebrate baseball in some many different ways,' Bedasse told Channel 2. 'But the reality is we want to able to build opportunities for fans across the region and make sure that everybody feels connected to our sport.' Advertisement The foundation and MLB's social responsibility division picked the following five legacy projects: Rhyne Park Softball Complex field renovations : New turf fields, batting cages and more will be installed in partnership with Cobb PARKS. Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta Barksdale Baseball Field Renovation : The baseball fields will be refurbished with repairs to the dugout and scoreboard, new fencing and new lights installed in Rockdale County. Sensory Space at Truist Park: An area for fans with neurodivergent and sensory needs will open during All-Star week. Leila Valley Community Farm : A new farm, garden and orchard in southeast Atlanta will provide tens of thousands of pounds of fresh produce to Atlanta Housing residents. Camp Southern Ground Warrior Fitness Trailer: Partnering with Zac Brown, Camp Southern Ground helps veterans with physical and mental health and building a community as they transition from service to civilian life in Fayette County. April Brown, MLB's senior vice president of social responsibility, said these projects highlight the league's committee to community. 'The work that happens off the field is just as important to us. That is where we can touch families, individuals and spread the power of baseball,' Brown told Channel 2. MLB started the All-Star Legacy initiative in 1997 and have donated over $120 million to community projects. Brown said the Braves have been 'an amazing partner' and aligned with their vision for this year's All-Star Legacy program. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos QB Bo Nix throws first pitch at Rockies game
Broncos QB Bo Nix throws first pitch at Rockies game Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix continues to stay involved in the Colorado sports picture, even with the 2025 season quickly coming into view. This time, Nix threw out the first pitch at the Colorado Rockies-New York Yankees showdown at Coors Field on Friday night. Nix has found himself playing in the most important games in the NFL calendar, in December and January. The Rockies? Not so much; as they are on track to only win 26 games in a 161-game season. Nix's appearance may be one of the brightest spots in the Rockies' season this year. Nix has quickly become a fixture at premier Colorado sporting events, appearing several times at Denver's Ball Arena in support of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche as they each made a quick foray into the playoffs. Friday's Rockies appearance shows that Nix has endeared himself to Colorado sports fans -- much like one of his predecessors. Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, also a regular attendee of the biggest Colorado sporting events, overlapped with Nix at a Nuggets game this spring. Manning threw out the first pitch at the 2021 MLB All-Star Game at Coors Field to fellow Hall of Famer (of the Cooperstown crowd) and Tennessee football teammate, Todd Helton. It wasn't hard for Nix to beat Manning's opening pitch, which was practically unhittable. Still the GOAT at quarterback. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yankees' Aaron Judge Sends Words of Support for Red Sox's Jarren Duran
During Sunday's game at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Guardians, a fan hurled inappropriate and unwarranted remarks at Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, who recently opened up about his mental health struggles and suicide attempt in the Netflix series "The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox." According to an ESPN report, the fan taunted Duran about his suicide attempt from three years ago during the seventh inning stretch. The spectator was ejected from the game and could face a harsh penalty from MLB. Rightfully so. Advertisement Duran received encouraging words of support from the Red Sox organization and MLB players around the league, including New York Yankees star Aaron Judge. "Definitely," Judge told NJ Advance Media's Randy Miller on Monday about whether Duran has his support. Judge and Duran were American League teammates at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. 'Getting to know him [Duran] a little bit, he's a great kid," Judge told Miller after the Yankees' 4-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. "He's got a bright future ahead of him. What a tremendous athlete. We all go through our struggles in life, our ups and downs. For Jarren to prevail and still be doing what he loves to do, I definitely feel for what he's gone through and what he had to go through on Sunday. New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) hits a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Carchietta-Imagn Images 'You can boo and you can say whatever you want about performance, but what happened in Cleveland is taking it too far.' Advertisement Another Yankees player, Cody Bellinger, told Miller that the Guardians fan should be banned from Progressive Field for life and that MLB players are "all human beings with emotions and feelings. It was hard to hear what that fan said to Duran." Judge and Bellinger's remarks and support for Duran demonstrate that a historic rivalry between the two AL East organizations can be easily set aside. Hopefully, MLB will implement harsh penalties for the improper behavior the individual displayed over the weekend. Related: Former MLB GM Makes Bold Prediction About Red Sox's Roman Anthony
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Maryland Terrapins hire former MLB exec as Director of Athletics
Maryland Terrapins hire former MLB exec as Director of Athletics The year of changes for the University of Maryland continues with more moves within the leadership of their athletic department. After a highly public split from men's basketball coach Kevin Willard and the hiring of charismatic Buzz Williams, more changes have come. Maryland has announced that James E. Smith, a former Major League Baseball executive, will be taking over as the university's new Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics, effective May 15, 2025. The hiring comes after a search was conducted to replace Damon Evans, who was part of the public separation that the university was handling. Smith has now given Maryland their new leader to help the athletic programs continue to develop. Smith joins Maryland after an impressive career that has seen him work with Ohio State and the Atlanta Braves in leadership capacities. While with the Braves, he has worked to help their brand and marketing strategies grow, which has helped Atlanta land the 2025 MLB All-Star Game. "Jim is a proven and exceptional talent who has excelled in a variety of professional sports organizations. He will be a wonderful addition to the Big Ten Athletic Director group and I look forward to working with him," Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti said about the hire.
