Athletes Unlimited is tapping the breaks, as the multi-sport operation pulls back from its pro volleyball and basketball leagues to reimagine both products.

AU is zeroing in on its pro softball league after second-season ratings jumped 181% on ESPN, with the AUSL serving as its sole property in 2027.

“As we look ahead, we’re sharpening our focus on where we can create the greatest long-term impact for athletes, fans, and partners,” AU said in a statement.

“As part of that strategy, we’ll pause AU Pro Volleyball during the 2026 season and AU Pro Basketball for the 2027 season while we thoughtfully reimagine the future of those properties to reflect the continued growth and evolution of both sports.”

The news comes as upstarts LOVB, MLV, and Unrivaled 3×3 gain steam. Additionally, preparations for the 2028 Olympics have presented scheduling issues for Athletes Unlimited’s truncated format.

These aren’t the company’s first casualties, after it cut AU Pro Lacrosse in 2024 over similar concerns.

Jailyn Ford threw her first complete game of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) season Tuesday, guiding the OKC Spark past the Texas Volts 7-2. Ford struck out eight, walked three, and surrendered just two extra-base hits across the AUSL game's seven innings.

OKC Spark Offense Powers Past Texas Volts Roster

OKC's offense set the tone early.

Sydney Romero doubled to right center in the first, driving in Maya Brady for a 1-0 lead. The Volts answered in the third, but the Spark responded immediately. A throwing error in the fourth opened the door for two runs. Brady followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Sarah Gordon.

From there, the lead only grew. Amari Harper launched a solo homerun in the fifth, then Sydney McKinney singled home Sydney Sherrill to push the advantage to 7-1.

Jackie Lis homered late for the Texas Volts roster's lone bright spot, but the deficit proved too much.

Looking Ahead in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League Standings

The win moves the Spark to 10-11 with two straight victories as they chase a late-season climb in the AUSL scores and standings. The Volts drop to 6-16.

These teams close their two-game series Wednesday at 8 PM ET on ESPNU.

The Utah Talons are playoff-bound. The defending champions clinched the first postseason berth of the 2026 AUSL softball season on Saturday, climbing the AUSL standings by rallying past the Oklahoma City Spark 5-4 in a seventh-inning comeback.

How the Utah Talons Locked Up Their 2026 AUSL Playoff Spot

Utah trailed 3-2 heading into the final frame. Then Jadelyn Allchin connected on a solo home run to tie it. With two outs, Sharlize Palacios followed with a two-run shot off Maya Johnson, pushing the Talons ahead 5-3.

Oklahoma City answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh, but Megan Faraimo closed things out, finishing with 10 strikeouts in a complete-game effort.

Staying on Top of the AUSL Standings

Now the focus shifts to the AUSL standings.

The No. 1 seed earns an automatic berth in the AUSL Championship at Davis Diamond in College Station, Texas, while the second- and third-place teams meet in the Play-In Game.

Utah (14-6) holds a one-game edge over the Chicago Bandits (13-7), who have won nine straight. The Portland Cascade (11-9) sit three games back.

With a roster that includes Montana Fouts and a lineup built for the postseason, the Talons have the depth to chase more than just a playoff spot.

The young stars of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League stand out beyond their style of play, as merchandise sales for five of the league’s top-10 selling players have come from the 2026 rookie class.

No. 1 overall 2026 pick Karlyn Pickens of the Carolina Blaze leads the league in merchandise sales this season, joined by fellow rookies Sam Landry and Reese Atwood in the top-three.

AUSL Merchandise Sales Surge Past 2025 Numbers After WCWS

AUSL merchandise sales have expanded exponentially since 2025, with revenue exceeding 200% of sales from the first month of the season last year.

The popularity of this year’s AUSL rookie class underlines potential stardom for players immediately going pro after the NCAA Women’s College World Series, as fans follow their favorite athletes to the professional level.

Texas Volts ace Nijaree Canady sits fourth in merch sales, while former UCLA slugger Megan Grant of the Portland Cascade sits in seventh place. Montana Fouts, who represents the league-leading Talons, sits at sixth.

Fans can find AUSL merchandise at the AU Pro Shop, as well as in-venue pop up shops in each league market. The 2026 AUSL season continues through July 29 as the league's six team compete for a chance to play in the best-of-three championship.

Maya Brady is just 11 games into the 2026 AUSL season and she's already nearing a record no one has reached.

The Oklahoma City Spark utility player currently leads the AUSL with five home runs and 11 RBIs. Her batting average lands her in the league's Top 10, keeping all three Triple Crown categories in play.

Brady additionally ranks high in on-base percentage (.575) while leading the league in runs scored (13). She has recorded a hit in every professional matchup she's played — a 16-game streak stretching back to her 2025 debut with the Utah Talons.

Maya Brady Faces AUSL Triple Crown Challengers

Despite Brady's grip on the standings, the competition for the Triple Crown remains tight.

Veteran Chicago Bandits slugger Sami Williams matches Brady's RBI count while trailing close behind in batting average (.467) and home runs (three). Elsewhere, Carolina Blaze rookie Reese Atwood follows with eight RBIs and a .450 batting average.

Brady joined the Spark as the No. 1 overall pick in December's Expansion Draft. With more than a third of the season complete, she holds the edge in all three Triple Crown categories. Winning the title would be a first for the second-year pro softball league — if she manages to keep pace.

Her team, however, has ground to make up.

Oklahoma City lost to the defending champion Utah Talons on Monday, with pitcher Montana Fouts holding Brady's side to four hits. The defeat dropped Oklahoma to 5-6 on the season.

Athletes Unlimited Softball (AUSL) opened its second season with a pro softball triple-header that set the tone for 2026. Expansion teams made their mark, offenses came alive early, and the defending champions picked up right where they left off.

AUSL Expansion Teams Make Their Scoring Debut

The Spark routed the Texas Volts 13-5 in the day's first game. Expansion draft pick Maya Brady delivered the biggest moment, launching a grand slam to center field to log the Spark's first-ever runs as a franchise. Following Brady's heroics, Sydney Romero added a follow-up home run to put the game out of reach.

Later that evening, the Carolina Blaze handed the Portland Cascade a 4-1 loss in Portland's debut. Still, Cascade shortstop Sis Bates gave the hometown crowd something to cheer for, recording the first hit and run in franchise history.

Montana Fouts Silences Bandits in AUSL Championship Rematch

The night's marquee event paired the defending champion Utah Talons against the Texas Bandits. The AUSL championship rematch saw the Talons control the game early, coming away with a 5-2 win.

Bri Ellis carried the Utah offense with a two-run homer and RBI double. Meanwhile, in the circle, Montana Fouts matched her by throwing a complete game and holding the Bandits to just two runs on scattered hits.

With the expanded AUSL looking deeper than ever, the 2026 season looks to be the most competitive yet.

AUSL Schedule: Where to Watch This Week's Games

Next up, the Volts will take on the Spark on Wednesday at 6 PM ET, live on MLB.TV.

The Portland Cascade follows, looking to bounce back against the Blaze at 8 PM ET (ESPN2), before the Bandits shoot for a win against the Talons at 10 PM ET (ESPNU).

Pro softball is spreading its wings, as the Athletes Unlimited Softball League opens its expanded second season with all six teams in action tonight.

Former Tennessee ace and No. 1 draft pick Karlyn Pickens will likely make her pro debut for the Carolina Blaze. She’ll face a rookie-heavy Portland Cascade lineup spanning UCLA’s Megan Grant, Arizona’s Sydney Stewart, Arizona State’s Kenzie Brown, and Florida’s Kenleigh Cahalan.

Game 2 pits the Texas Volts against 2026 newcomer the Oklahoma City Spark, with formerly independent OKC adding No. 3 overall pick Maya Johnson out of Belmont.

The 2025 runner-up Chicago Bandits visit the Utah Talons in the evening’s headliner. Last year, the Talons swept the Bandits to claim the inaugural title.

Utah rookie Taylor Tinsley arrives fresh off UCLA’s deep WCWS run. Meanwhile, first-year pitcher Jocelyn Erickson (Florida) could feature behind the dish for Chicago.

AUSL also made offseason waves, subsequently securing big-name investors and a major media deal.

“We’re big believers in building a sustainable long-term softball league, and I think that that's resonated,” Athletes Unlimited CEO and co-founder Jon Patricof said.

“You’re seeing more and more organizations recognize that this sport is a national phenomenon.”

Where to Watch AUSL Season 2 Opening Day Schedule

Portland squares off against Carolina today at 5 PM ET, live on CBS Sports.

Texas softball are back-to-back national champions, after the Longhorns defeated Texas Tech 4-1 on Thursday to clinch a second consecutive Women's College World Series title in Oklahoma City.

And at the center of the team's historic run was star catcher Reese Atwood.

Reese Atwood Leaves Record-Breaking Texas Softball Legacy

The Longhorns veteran departs Austin as the program's all-time leader in home runs (74), RBIs (283), and slugging percentage (.729). Over her four seasons, Texas went 209-49-1 with Atwood behind the plate.

She also guided the team three WCWS appearances and two national championships, starting 253 out of 259 games.

Those stats prove just how vital Atwood was to the Longhorns' lineup. However, the graduating senior shared that joining head coach Mike White's squad meant just as much to her.

"I have so much faith in this program," Atwood said after Thursday's WCWS win. "I believe with the standards this program has set and the culture and the love that our support staff and everybody gives us that anything we want is possible."

Atwood's teammates credited her with setting those standards, too.

Texas pitcher Teagan Kavan — who earned a history-making second straight WCWS Most Outstanding Player award in the win — praised her longtime batterymate.

"She's the heart and soul of this program," Kavan said. "I'm proud of her for the legacy she's left not just on Texas, but on the whole sport. She's been an inspiration to everybody including myself."

College Softball Stars Kick Off AUSL Pro League's 2026 Season

Now, with her college career capped, Atwood is headed to the pros.

The Carolina Blaze took the catcher seventh overall in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) draft last month, making her the second round's first selectiond.

As part of the newly formed Blaze, Atwood looks to continue her record-breaking streak in Durham.

The NFCA Catcher of the Year will mark her league debut when the 2026 AUSL season opens on June 9th. Games will air across ESPN platforms through late July's championship series.

Texas, meanwhile, will shoot for the three-peat at the 2027 WCWS, as Kavan returns to lead the program in her senior year with the Longhorns.

Texas Tech softball ace NiJaree Canady received the first golden ticket for the 2026 AUSL Draft, with commissioner Kim Ng surprising the senior following the Red Raiders' Big 12 matchup against Iowa State.

The golden ticket guarantees Canady a spot in Athletes Unlimited Softball League's 2026 Draft, set for May 4th.

"As one of the most talented players in the game today, it is fitting that NiJaree is the first recipient of a golden ticket this year," Ng said.

"This is also the beginning of what will be a truly special draft class, with many outstanding players across the country."

Canady ranks among college softball's most decorated athletes. The pitcher earned multiple first-team All-American honors, won 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, captured back-to-back National Fastpitch Coaches Association National Pitcher of the Year titles, and claimed the Honda Sport Awards for Softball in 2024 and 2025.

The Stanford transfer made headlines when she signed a record-breaking $1,050,024 one-year contract via The Matador Club, an NIL collective affiliated with Texas Tech softball. She signed another seven-figure deal last year, after leading the Red Raiders to its first WCWS championship appearance.

Canady recently launched her Adidas signature player-edition cleat, the ADIZERO Instinct 2.0 PT "NiJa," becoming the first NCAA softball player to release a signature Adidas shoe.

AUSL representatives and softball celebrities will visit college campuses throughout the next month to award additional golden tickets to this year's draft class.

How to Watch NiJaree Canady at the 2026 AUSL Draft

The 2026 AUSL Draft is set for May 4th, with live coverage starting at 7 PM ET on ESPN2.

Mexico cartel violence prompted the Mexican Softball League to cancel games on Sunday, as the situation in Jalisco disrupts the LMS among other women's sports ventures.

The pro women's league cancelled Sunday night's matchup between Diablos Rojos Femenil and Bravos de León, announcing the decision as a safety precaution following the Mexico cartel activity.

The violence began after the Mexican military killed the leader of Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, considered the most powerful cartel in Mexico, on Sunday. Cartel members burned cars and blocked roads across nearly a dozen states, with authorities reporting at least 70 related deaths.

Six US athletes currently compete in the third-year Mexican pro league, including NCAA and Athletes Unlimited stars like Rachel Garcia, Jazmyn Jackson, Janae Jefferson, Baylee Klingler, Giulia Koutsoyanopulos, and Erika Piancastelli.

Following the violence, the United States and Canada advised their citizens in Mexico to shelter in place due, with Canadian player Natalie Wideman posting an Instagram update confirming her safety.

Four players subsequently requested releases from Guadalajara-based Jalisco Charros on Wednesday. US athlete Nicola Simpson, Canadians Natalie Wildman and Janet Lung, and Dutch player Eva Voortman all cited personal reasons for leaving.

The ongoing unrest has also impacted other women's sports. World Aquatics cancelled the Diving World Cup, scheduled for March 5th through 8th in Zapopan near Guadalajara, after conducteing a thorough risk assessment and considered travel restrictions from international governments.

The LMS is currently winding down its third season, with playoffs scheduled to begin March 10th.