As the inaugural AUSL (Athletes Unlimited Softball League) gets underway soon, the league made another game-changing move. It named Senior Advisor Kim Ng as Commissioner. She will be tasked with “fostering the league’s growth, promoting its brand, and driving its long-term success.” She is no stranger to the sport of softball as she played it at the University of Chicago.
Athletes Unlimited CEO and Co-Founder, Jon Patricof, spoke highly of Ng and what she brings as the AUSL Commissioner:
“Kim’s intellect, experience and connection to players and business leaders alike clearly make her uniquely qualified for this role, and the way she has galvanized and inspired the entire softball community behind the AUSL over the past year has been remarkable.”
Also, Ng addressed what being the Commissioner means to her:
“Softball was my first love growing up, so it’s both gratifying and humbling to be given this responsibility at such a pivotal moment for the sport.”
She added:
“I’m grateful to everyone at Athletes Unlimited and across the softball community for welcoming me with open arms and look forward to rewarding the faith they’ve placed in me by doing everything I can to ensure the AUSL lives up to its promise to grow this sport at the professional level in the U.S. to new heights.”
Without question, Ng also brings plenty of experience to the Commissioner’s role with her over three decades in Major League Baseball. In 2020, she made history as the first woman to serve as a General Manager of a major American men’s professional sports team.
Ng was hired by the Miami Marlins, a job she held until 2023. Prior to that, she was the Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations for Major League Baseball.
When Does the AUSL Season Get Underway?
Opening Day for the AUSL, will be on June 7. Each of the league’s four teams: the Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts, will play 24 games. Additionally, the season will culminate on July 23 as top two teams will compete in the AUSL Championship. It will be a best-of-three series to take place July 26-28 at Rhoads Stadium, home of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
After the conclusion of the AUSL Championship, 60 players will vie for a championship in the AUSL All-Star Cup. Fans can catch all of the action in-person or across all ESPN platforms.
On a personal note, the AUSL and the sport of softball is in great hands with Ng.
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