Softball Players Reach Deal With Athletes Unlimited to Form Union

Softball players have officially formed a union with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), following a recent agreement. The league had previously refused to recognize the union for over a month after the players initially requested recognition on October 13. Both the league and union announced the signing of the agreement, which will pave the way for the creation of the first collective bargaining agreement in the league's history.

Athletes Unlimited Softball League is owned by Jon Patricof and Jonathan Soros, while the union, yet to name its leadership, expressed gratitude to the players who voiced their concerns throughout the process. The union is optimistic about the future of professional softball and believes that the union will make the AUSL stronger, aiming to continue the sport's growth through the 2027 season.

The AUSL was established in 2025 under a touring model and expanded to six markets in 2026. However, the league had been hosting softball competitions since 2020. Previously, Athletes Unlimited managed softball, lacrosse, basketball, and volleyball leagues. In 2024, MLB made an eight-figure investment in the AUSL, just a month after the league's co-founders enlisted former Marlins general manager Kim Ng as the league's commissioner.

Following the MLB investment, Athletes Unlimited discontinued its volleyball and basketball leagues. Hannah Flippen, an infielder with the AUSL, shared her thoughts on the union last month, emphasizing the importance of setting a precedent for future negotiations and ensuring that the players are well-prepared to fight for their rights when necessary.

Last season, the highest salary in the AUSL was $75,000, with salaries increasing annually. For 2027, the salary range is set to be between $27,000 and $80,000 in five tiers. In August, Patricof highlighted that Athletes Unlimited has been focused on building a robust commercial engine and investing significantly more in softball than they had two years prior.