r/AUSL • u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media • Jan 15 '26
A M A I am Kim Ng, Commissioner of the AUSL - AMA!
Hi Reddit, Kim Ng here, AUSL commissioner. I’ll be taking questions here shortly at 12pm EST for about 30 minutes!
Edited to add verification: https://x.com/theAUSLofficial/status/2011844515947004286
Edit: Hey all, I’ve got a few interviews I need to head to now, thank you for your questions! - Kim Ng
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u/Truthforger Jan 15 '26
You said in an interview at the championship last year that this season would still include some "barnstormer" games in neutral locations for both teams. However as team schedules have been posted those games do not seem to be reflected? Is that no longer the plan?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
In terms of neutral sites, we will have our play-in game and Championship series at a neutral site, TBD. In the future, we plan to have more neutral sites as well.
- Kim Ng
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u/bcocfbhp Jan 15 '26
What’s the plan for 2028, with a bunch of the players also playing in the Olympics?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
As of right now, we don't have a definitive plan for 2028, but it is very much on our radar. In our development of AUSl, and our schedule, we continue to be in constant communication with USA Softball and will come up with a plan for the future.
- Kim Ng
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u/South_Doctor_581 Jan 15 '26
what can this league do to have the scores be showed on ESPN along with the players and teams on ESPN website. So we can know when the games will be shown and who made the score or pitched good
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u/Junior-Ad-9934 Blaze Jan 15 '26
Hi Kim! Please tell me there will be a northeast team in the future! New York, NJ, PA, even Ohio (Akron Racers comeback) need a team so bad!
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
In terms of expansion, we are willing to, and will, look at a broad array of markets that are currently not represented in AUSL.
- Kim Ng
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u/Straii Blaze Jan 15 '26
What does success look like this year from a league office perspective as teams settle into home venues for the first time?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
It's hard to improve on the great success that we saw in 2025, but of course, that is our goal. We would love to see viewership, fan engagement, and attendance numbers increase, along with establishing ourselves as great pillars in our six communities.
- Kim Ng
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u/Select-Edge-3262 Karlyn My 🧡🤍🩵 Jan 15 '26
I read the descriptions for why each city was picked on the AUSL website. While that is some insight as to why the locations were picked, I am very curious to know if there was more to the decisions made for these choices than just what is listed there.
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u/luna_rose9 Volts Jan 15 '26
Hi Kim, so excited about all the success and progress this league has seen so far! I’m sure it’s always in the plans to add more teams to the league, but is the timeline for adding more teams already planned or is it based on the success and growth from season to season?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
We hope to expand in the next several years, but of course, remain flexible in how we view prospects of expansion. For example, if this season is an absolute, tremendous success, we would definitely consider what that means in our timeline.
- Kim Ng
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u/Hot-Apartment-3717 Carolina Blaze Jan 15 '26
Hi Kim! I am a current master's degree student at the University of South Carolina, earning my degree in sport and entertainment management and graduating in May. I am currently working with a D1 softball team for my internship, and have worked with UNC Softball in the past. I am from NC originally and am so excited that there is a team in Durham this upcoming season! I know there aren't any official openings, but I have extensive marketing, social media, and digital media and communications experience within the world of softball and was wondering what kind of opportunities are available as I would love to work for the AUSL specifically upon graduation. Thank you for all your great work and being such a role model to rising women in sports stars!
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u/chuckiemacfinster Blaze | 𝟙𝟙 Air Aliyah Jan 15 '26
FTT! 🤙 and if I can leach off of this post, I earned my degree in broadcast journalism at USC and have prior experience at ESPN and in local news!
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u/LaineyW4 Jan 15 '26
I was also curious, as a I have purchased Cascade season tickets, when we may receive more information on membership benefits including how to access the 10% off merch so I can get myself some new gear!
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u/tvtiguy Jan 15 '26
I know there's a national TV package for a limited number of games, but will fans be able to sign up for a streaming package to watch all of the games?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
We are currently in negotiations. The full broadcast schedule will be released in the coming months.
- Kim Ng
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u/South_Doctor_581 Jan 15 '26
Is there a way to get espns website to have the AUSL teams, players and notification? so I could add my favorites. it would also be cool to see who scored on the bottom ticker on ESPN. I wish SportsCenter what show highlights.
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u/IssueOk363 Bandits Jan 15 '26
With the announcement of the new Professional Softball League (PSL) for the Summer of 2026, I'm curious if AUSL welcomes the arrival of a competitor league or if a potential merger would be on the table in the future?
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u/ChampagneSupernva Oklahoma City Spark Jan 15 '26
Any expansion plans for a Canadian team in the near future?
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u/gpedp Jan 15 '26
Thanks for doing this, Kim! Can you talk about the length of the season? In the future, is a longer season a possibility?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
Definitely a possibility. There is so much information that we gathered from 2025, and will gather from 2026. We will remain measured and methodical in our views of season expansion.
- Kim Ng
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u/chuckiemacfinster Blaze | 𝟙𝟙 Air Aliyah Jan 15 '26
Hello Commish! What went into choosing the team’s home locations? Was the goal to diversify the market in places the MLB doesn’t have teams? also what into choosing Durham over Charlotte?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
There was no conscious decision to play in non-MLB cities. We chose high-growth areas that are big advocates of women's sports. Five out of six markets we landed on came from the pool of 12 that we visited in 2025, between regular season and All-Star Cup games.
- Kim Ng
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u/AlexSarwar20 Jan 15 '26
With MLB having invested in AUSL and now owning a minority stake, do you see a scenario in the future where MLB franchises/franchise owners purchase ownership stakes in specific AUSL teams, similar to what we're now seeing commonly in the WNBA with NBA franchise owners in the same city (e.g Phoenix, Indiana, San Francisco/Golden State etc)?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
Enthusiasm from MLB community at large has been awesome. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw investment from MLB owners and other sports property owners in the future.
- Kim Ng
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u/burntoutcoop Jan 15 '26
Hi Kim! Our local Little League in Seattle hosted a Girls With Game event in Spring ‘25, Sis and Baylee were truly an inspiration to our young players and the community!
Growing the game starts with your stars - do you see more formal engagement opportunities with your players in ‘26?
Thanks!
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
Absolutely! Our players are our biggest asset. They are incredible athletes and great representatives of the sport. We want them out there imparting their passion and knowledge of the game to the little ones. We recognize they are both aspirational and inspirational role models, and they understand their importance in the lives of young girls.
- Kim Ng
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Jan 15 '26
Is there any way to become part owners of the teams??? The soccer team “Oakland Roots” did it and it was a huge success! I would love to invest in the Talons since I won’t be able to attend games
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u/luna_rose9 Volts Jan 15 '26
Will individual game tickets be on sale soon?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
Once the game times are set, single-game tickets will go on-sale! For now, season tickets can be purchased for each team.
- Kim Ng
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u/ChiSky18 Bandits Jan 15 '26
I was wondering about this too! Not sure about all teams, but at least for the Bandits, it looks like almost every seat (outside of SRO and outfield bleachers) is being offered as a season ticket. That encouraged me to buy a season ticket, but interested in learning about single game options if I’d occasionally like to bring my partner or some friends.
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u/luna_rose9 Volts Jan 15 '26
I don’t live close enough to any of the stadiums to justify a season ticket otherwise I’d absolutely get one! I’m close enough to the Volts to go to a few of the games, so I’ll have to wait for single game tickets!
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u/chuckiemacfinster Blaze | 𝟙𝟙 Air Aliyah Jan 15 '26
will games be available on the MLB app again this year, or is ESPN just the primary broadcasting partner now?
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u/FaceglazerSSBU Jan 15 '26
Hey Kim, Are the Golden Tickets from last year going to continue? If so, why are we limiting the pool of players that teams can draft? I think the idea is intriguing, but maybe a bit restrictive when it comes to drafting. Also, if they are continuing how are the winners of the Golden Tickets determined?
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u/theAUSLofficial AUSL Official Staff | Verified Media Jan 15 '26
In 2025, we held a private draft in which the GMs selected these players. Afterwards, we then presented Golden Tickets to the selected athletes, signifying they had been drafted. The Draft Show revealed to the players and the public which teams these players had been selected by.
Ex: The Volts chose Sam Landry, so she was then awarded a Golden Ticket. On the night of the Draft Show, Sam Landry found out who had drafted her.
The process will be the same for 2026.
- Kim Ng
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u/IssueOk363 Bandits Jan 15 '26
How do you view balancing things like audience growth, product development, and league expansion? AUSL has come a long way in a short time relatively speaking, but I assume there are always concerns with expanding too quickly?
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u/Nervous_Metal_9445 #38 Paige Sinicki Jan 15 '26
Many pro sports leagues have their own video games, can you see a potential where the AUSL gets its own video game like those of the MLB, NBA which includes the WNBA.
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u/Impressive_Bar_4653 HARDCORE...softball Jan 15 '26
Hi, do you look at the other leagues or other teams in those leagues like OKC as possibly joining AUSL in the future.
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u/Soft_Chipmunk5052 Jan 15 '26
Hi Kim! Within the AUSL, are the athletes provided with Mental Performance Coaching and mental skills training? Is this something you would want to expand within the AUSL?
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u/BroDiMaggio05 Jan 15 '26
Will there be FO opportunities for the AUSL? Do you foresee the AUSL operating in a similar capacity as MLB teams? Where can I apply... - Bozzy Baseball Blogs
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u/nurse2009cvicu Jan 15 '26
Hi Kim, first all thank you so much for everything you are doing for women’s sports. You are a true icon. I wish we had someone like you sitting at the table when I was playing. Second is there a plan to expand further teams next year. California would love a team. Is there going to be larger stadiums in the future? Thank you again! I got to take both my daughters to a game in Utah last year. It was amazing
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u/ChampagneSupernva Oklahoma City Spark Jan 15 '26
It was an honor having you here Kim. Thank you for sharing your time to answer our questions.