The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) is a new women's professional league founded in 2024, launching its inaugural season in 2025 with a tour across ten US cities. The league features a 30-game regular season, with player salaries averaging $40,000–45,000, and appointed Kim Ng as commissioner in April 2025. A major boost came in May 2025 when Major League Baseball announced a strategic investment to help establish the league as a sustainable long-term organization. For the 2026 season, the AUSL expanded from four to six teams, each gaining a permanent home city and competing in a 25-game season followed by a best-of-three finals. Player acquisition involves a complex draft system, including an expansion draft, allocation draft, and a college draft featuring "Golden Tickets" handed out to top college players. Additionally, a reserve pool allows graduating seniors to be picked up mid-season for flexibility, ensuring a deep talent pipeline.