ESPN Expands Coverage of Women’s Sports with 3-Year Athletes Unlimited Deal
In a big step for women’s pro sports, ESPN and Athletes Unlimited have agreed to a three-year rights extension. ESPN will now serve as the official broadcast partner for Athletes Unlimited’s softball, basketball, and volleyball leagues.
This deal is set to boost the visibility and reach of women’s sports in a major way. ESPN platforms will air over 50 exclusive Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) games each year.
ABC is also set to broadcast at least one AUSL championship series game in 2026. That’s the first time women’s pro softball will hit network television in the U.S.—a long-overdue milestone, honestly.
All of this comes as interest and investment in women’s sports keep climbing. The Women’s College World Series recently pulled in record viewership numbers, which probably nudged this deal along.
ESPN and Athletes Unlimited: A Groundbreaking Partnership
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This partnership really says a lot about how much people want to watch women’s sports now. With the new deal, ESPN will show all 24 games of Athletes Unlimited’s basketball and volleyball leagues on ESPNU and ESPN+.
That’s a big audience bump. Rosalyn Durant, ESPN’s executive vice president for programming and acquisitions, pointed to the growing buzz around women’s sports as a major reason for this move.
The Impact on Women’s Softball
Getting AUSL games on ESPN platforms changes the game for women’s softball. More than 50 exclusive AUSL games will air every year, giving the sport a level of exposure it’s never had before.
The real headline here is ABC’s plan to broadcast at least one AUSL championship series game in 2026. Women’s pro softball has never aired on U.S. network TV until now—it’s about time.
Interest in pro softball is clearly on the rise. The 2025 Women’s College World Series finals between Texas and Texas Tech averaged 2.2 million viewers on ESPN’s networks, making it the most-watched finals ever.
The series as a whole averaged 1.3 million viewers across 15 games, breaking more records.
Elevating Basketball and Volleyball
The deal also gives a real lift to Athletes Unlimited’s basketball and volleyball leagues. ESPN will air all 24 games from both leagues on ESPNU and ESPN+, so fans can actually keep up with their favorite players.
Cheri Kempf, chief broadcast officer for Athletes Unlimited, sounded genuinely excited about the expanded partnership. She talked up the strength of their leagues and the growing excitement around women’s pro sports.
Working with ESPN should help take the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, AU Pro Basketball, and the AU Pro Volleyball Championship to new levels. Fans and brands both stand to gain from this increased spotlight.
The Broader Implications for Women’s Sports
This isn’t just a broadcasting deal—it’s a pretty big leap forward for women’s sports as a whole. Major platforms like ESPN and ABC will shine a light on the talent and competitive spirit of female athletes.
That kind of exposure can lead to more sponsor interest, better endorsement deals for players, and more funding for women’s sports across the board.
Driving Interest and Engagement
What’s really exciting here is the chance to get younger audiences hooked. By putting women’s sports on popular platforms, ESPN and Athletes Unlimited are helping inspire the next wave of female athletes.
When young girls see women they admire on TV, they’re way more likely to jump into sports themselves. That’s how you build a lifelong love of competition—and maybe even future stars.
More media coverage could finally start to change old stereotypes about women’s sports. As people tune in and see high-level, competitive games, the story around women’s sports will keep evolving.
It’s about time we recognize the skill and excitement these athletes bring.
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Economic Benefits
The financial upside here is hard to ignore. More games on air means more chances for advertising and sponsorships, which helps fund Athletes Unlimited and its leagues.
That cash can go toward better facilities, improved training, and more opportunities for young women to get involved in sports.
With more people watching on ESPN and ABC, there’s a good shot attendance will rise too—both in person and online. Fans who catch games on TV might be more likely to buy tickets and support their teams, giving women’s sports an even bigger boost.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Women’s Professional Sports
This ESPN-Athletes Unlimited deal feels like a sign of things to come. As more media companies and sponsors see the value in women’s sports, we’ll probably see even more growth and investment.
That means more chances for female athletes to show what they’ve got and chase their dreams.
Continued Growth and Expansion
If this deal works out, it could open the door for more agreements like it. As viewership keeps climbing, media companies will want in on broadcasting women’s sports, giving athletes even more exposure.
With more visibility and investment, women’s sports can also help drive bigger changes in society. Showcasing female athletes’ achievements might just inspire more girls and women to break barriers—not just in sports, but everywhere.
A Bright Future
The future of women’s professional sports feels brighter than ever. Deals like the one between ESPN and Athletes Unlimited really help push things forward.
People are finally starting to celebrate and support the achievements of female athletes. Maybe soon, women’s sports will get the recognition and respect they’ve always deserved.
If you’re curious about this historic deal and what it might mean for women’s sports, check out the full article on MyMotherLode.