June 4, 2026, New York – With Opening Day just days away, the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) today announced a new group of strategic investors led by the Milwaukee Brewers and Ryan Sanders Baseball, further deepening support from some of the most respected leaders and operators in the baseball industry ahead of the league’s second season.
The investment group includes Milwaukee Brewers Chairman and Principal Owner Mark Attanasio as well as baseball legends and executives Nolan Ryan, Reid Ryan and Don Sanders of Ryan Sanders Baseball, one of the premier ownership and operating groups in Minor League Baseball through franchises including the Round Rock Express.
The Brewers become the first Major League Baseball club to invest directly in the AUSL, building on the broader strategic investment and partnership announced between Major League Baseball and the AUSL in 2025, as well as previous investment in Athletes Unlimited from strategic investors led by co-founder Jonathan Soros and including Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V, David Blitzer’s Bolt Ventures, Schusterman Family Investments and others.
“This is a meaningful moment for the AUSL because it reflects growing belief from some of the most respected operators in baseball that professional softball has enormous long-term potential,” said Jon Patricof, CEO and Co-Founder of Athletes Unlimited. “The Brewers have built one of the most admired organizations in Major League Baseball, while Nolan, Reid and Don bring decades of experience creating successful franchises and connecting deeply with fans and communities. Beyond the investment itself, their operational expertise and experience building successful baseball properties across multiple markets will be incredibly valuable as we continue building the AUSL into a sustainable premier professional league.”
Ryan Sanders Baseball already plays a significant role in the AUSL as the operating partner of the Texas Volts, who compete at Dell Diamond in Round Rock, Texas. The organization and its leadership group have worked closely with the league on venue operations, fan experience and adapting baseball facilities for elite-level professional softball competition, expertise that will continue to be valuable as the AUSL grows.
“We have seen the sustained growth in the popularity of women’s sports, and with the best players in the world professional softball has strong appeal across many demographics,” said Attanasio. “The AUSL has built a strong leadership team and they are in an ideal position to capitalize on the momentum of their inaugural season.”
“We’ve seen the reaction from our fans at Dell Diamond and we’re thrilled to become strategic investors in AUSL,” Ryan Sanders Baseball CEO Reid Ryan said. “Our history with professional softball goes back several decades and we know it takes people willing to invest in these athletes. We want to be long-term partners in this league and help continue the growth of the game.”
The announcement comes as the AUSL prepares to launch its second season and first year competing in permanent home markets across the country beginning June 9.
Led by Commissioner Kim Ng, the AUSL enters its second season following a landmark inaugural campaign that included 24 sellouts, more than $1 million in merchandise sales, significant audience growth across broadcast and digital platforms, multiple major new multi-year corporate partnerships and a multi-year media rights agreement with ESPN.
The AUSL’s six teams — the Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Oklahoma City Spark, Portland Cascade, Texas Volts and Utah Talons — will compete in dedicated home markets for the first time this season.
Tickets for the 2026 AUSL season are on sale now at theausl.com.
About the AUSL: The premier professional softball league in the U.S., the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) launched in 2025 with four teams and expanded to six teams ahead of the 2026 season while anchoring those teams in home markets for the first time. Led by Commissioner Kim Ng and featuring investment from Major League Baseball, advisors including softball legends Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza and Natasha Watley as well as a multi-year media rights deal with ESPN, the AUSL is home to the best softball players in the world competing on the sport’s biggest professional stage. The Carolina Blaze, Chicago Bandits, Portland Cascade, Oklahoma City Spark, Texas Volts and Utah Talons begin their quest for the AUSL Championship on June 9. Following the AUSL Championship, a select group of players will be chosen to compete in the AUSL All-Star Cup, a high-stakes showdown held in Rosemont, Ill. to crown the ultimate individual softball champion utilizing the innovative Athletes Unlimited format. For more information, follow @theauslofficial and visit theausl.com.
About Athletes Unlimited:
Athletes Unlimited (AU) is the leader in athlete-driven professional sports, operating leagues in women’s volleyball, basketball, and softball. Founded in 2020 by Jonathan Soros and Jon Patricof, and recognized as one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, AU is the only public benefit corporation in professional sports, embedding athlete-centric decision-making into its business model. This includes athlete representation on the company’s board of directors, governance in partnership with Player Executive Committees, and players sharing in the company's long-term profits—all while taking a proactive role in shaping policies that support the women who compete in its leagues. Built on the values of innovation, inclusion, and excellence, AU is redefining the traditional model of sports ownership by partnering with athletes to build competitive, fan-focused leagues that deliver better outcomes for athletes, fans, and the broader sports community.
About Ryan Sanders Baseball: Established in 1998, Ryan Sanders Baseball has grown into one of the nation’s premier sports and entertainment ownership and operating groups, built on the Hall of Fame legacy of Nolan Ryan and the entrepreneurial vision of CEO and Founder Reid Ryan and Owner Reese Ryan. In partnership with Houston businessman and financier Don Sanders and his sons Bret and Brad Sanders, the organization has earned a reputation for excellence, integrity and quality across professional sports. Shareholders include baseball legends Craig Biggio, Roger Clemens and Jeff Kent. Ryan Sanders Baseball founded the Round Rock Express in 2000 (now the Triple-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers) and the Corpus Christi Hooks in 2005, developing Dell Diamond and Whataburger Field as premier fan destinations. RS3 Turf was founded in 2013 offering turf services across professional, collegiate and recreational sports nationwide. In 2022, Ryan Sanders Baseball, alongside Designated Bidders LLC., became owner and operator of the San Antonio Missions (the Double-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres). The organization continues to build a diversified enterprise rooted in community engagement, operational excellence and enduring partnerships.
Media Contacts: Scott Miranda, scott@mirandaco.net, 914-806-6771
Jeff Heckelman, jeff@jeffheckelman.com, 631-312-7327
(For Brewers): Tyler Barnes, tyler.barnes@brewers.com, 414-687-5216
(For Ryan Sanders Baseball): Rylan Kobre, rkobre@rrexpress.com; 512-238-2213