Nearly a month after professional softball players announced they were forming a union, the top league has recognized them.
The Athletes Unlimited Softball League announced Thursday, Nov. 12 that it has recognized the AUSL Players Association and signed an agreement with them. The union represents all players who participate in the AUSL, which completed its second full season this past summer.
Now, the two sides will begin negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.
“This is a landmark moment in the history of professional softball. None of this was easy or happened by accident. It took hard work, countless tough conversations, and the courage to stand together when it would have been easier to stay quiet,” the AUSLPA said in a statement. “We’re
eager to meet the league at the table to negotiate a contract that ensures player rights and benefits are protected.
“The creation of the AUSLPA is not just about today’s softball players. It is about every little girl who dreams of following in our footsteps.”
In its statement, the AUSLPA also thanked players from the NWSL and WNBA for their support and solidarity.
When it formed in October, the AUSLPA retained labor relations consulting firm Sports Solidarity LLC and law firm Altshuler Berzon LLP for legal representation, collective bargaining, organizing and public relations support. Sports Solidarity was founded by Harry Marino, an attorney and former minor league pitcher who spearheaded the unionization of Minor League Baseball players in 2022 and United Football League players in 2025.
AUSL's early success
At the end of this past season — the AUSL’s first in which it had city-based teams — the league said it saw a 110% increase in merchandise sales and a 97% increase in social media impressions. The AUSL also had 23 regular-season sellouts and sold out both games of the championship series in College Station, Texas.
More than 90 AUSL games were distributed across ESPN platforms, CBS Sports Network and MLB Network this past season. ABC drew an average audience of 732,000 viewers for Game 1 of the championship series, making it the most-watched professional softball game on record.
The AUSL is led by commissioner Kim Ng and Athletes Unlimited CEO Jon Patricof. The league also brought in partners like Sephora and Adidas, and welcomed investments from the Milwaukee Brewers, Ryan Sanders Baseball and Rule42.
Still in its infancy, the AUSL has dealt with some growing pains when it comes to compensation. For example, NiJaree Canady — the Texas Tech star pitcher and No. 2 overall pick in the AUSL Draft — had a brief holdout with the league at the start of the season in an effort to secure a better salary. In the AUSL, athletes sign contracts with the league rather than individual teams.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AUSL formally recognizes pro softball players union
