Nearly 100 Years Later: MLB Endorses a New Pro-Softball League
Within the past few years, the sports industry has made such a history in Women’s sports by introducing so many new leagues. Yet, the history behind professional women’s sports goes way back nearly 100 years. Beginning in 1926, tentative attempts were made to establish a Women’s Professional Baseball league to keep baseball alive and provide entertainment during the war years. Unfortunately, the first attempt wasn’t as successful as other efforts in later years. In 1943, the “All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL)” was founded during World War II, being the first major professional women’s baseball league. However, it was later disbanded in 1954; these two attempts paved the way for professional women’s sports in the years to come. Professional women’s leagues came as listed:
1978 the first Women’s Professional Basketball League (WBL) (1978-81)
1995 American Basketball League (ABL) (1995-98)
1996 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) (ongoing)
1997 Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL) (1997-2021)
2001 Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) (2001-2003)
2007 Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) (2007-2012)
2013 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) (ongoing)
2015 Athletes Unlimited (AU Softball) (ongoing)
2020 Athletes Unlimited Basketball and Volleyball (ongoing)
2023 Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) (ongoing)
For more specific reasons, along with the first two “beginner leagues,” Title IX also played a crucial role in allowing women’s sports. Title IX essentially states that there shall be no discrimination based on sex or gender as part of the Education Amendments of 1972 in education programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance.
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, it was announced that Major League Baseball announced an investment in a new pro softball league. It is said that they are “purchasing a stake” in the Athletics Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) to grow the league. Not only will it operate as an official league, but it will also help raise the AUSL’s profile and that of its athletes through social media, endorsements, events, and broadcasting AUSL games on MLB Network and MLB.com. AUSL will be launching later this year featuring four teams: Bandits, Blaze, Talons, and Vaults. The teams will play 24 games against each other between June 7 and July 23. The top two teams will then face off in a best-of-three series from July 26 through the 28th.
AUSL commissioner Kim 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.”
While this is indeed amazing for AUSL players and those prepared to play at the professional level, there is much more that can come from the league in the years to come.
“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,” added MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.
With a recent uproar in support and recognition for women’s sports, it means more than just a flashy headline; it is a statement. It is a statement for little girls across the world who dream of standing on the pitch, diamond, or court of their dreams. It is a testament from those who come before them that they can do anything they set their minds to. It also reflects nearly 100 years of progress, passion, and resilience. Each step has added momentum towards the end goal of sport being for everyone. With this momentum, the future of Women’s sports, as a whole, is being shown in a whole new light!
Tatyana Da Silva
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Writer
