Significantly, Athletes Unlimited and ESPN reached a multi-year TV deal that will air professional softball and lacrosse. As a result, over 160 live games can be seen exclusively on ESPN entities over the next two years.
Ninety events are to be televised on linear networks over the two years of the deal. Fifty-six events will be seen on ESPNU and 34 will be divided between ESPN and ESPN2.
All in all, the remaining 70 games will be made accessible to stream on ESPN+.
It's Official 🤩
— Athletes Unlimited (@AUProSports) April 27, 2022
You can catch every AU game this summer on the @espn platforms 🥎🥍 pic.twitter.com/KSAC1GlQih
Jon Patricof, CEO and co-founder of AU, stated how this deal makes AU an integral force in the landscape of pro sports in the U.S.:
“This deal establishes our presence as a major force in the pro sports landscape in the U.S., while serving as yet another reminder of ESPN’s commitment to women’s sports.”
Athletes Unlimited Softball and Lacrosse
Athletes Unlimited, LLC 2021 / Credit: Jade Hewitt
The second season of AU Lacrosse will happen this summer. What’s more, the collaboration includes a four-part series entitled Going Pro: Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse that will air on ESPN+.
Lastly, season three of AU Softball will return to Rosemont, Illinois. It will be from July 29 to August 28. Also, AU Softball will host a two-week competition – AUX Softball. It will coincide with the 50th anniversary of Title IX on June 23.
By and large, AU Sports is a great league. I, for one, am excited to see this partnership play out.
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