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AUSL Unveils All-Star Cup Roster; ABC to Air Championship

7/24/2026

Summary

AUSL Announces All-Stars

The Ultimate Softball League (AUSL) announced a 45-player All-Star Cup roster on Tuesday, with eight fan-voted picks.
All AUSL clubs are represented, with Chicago, Carolina and Utah each having nine players.
The Cup runs four weeks from August 8 at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois, with redrafts.
Chicago beat Portland 5-4 in 11 innings Thursday and will face No. 1 seed Utah Talons in a best-of-three series this weekend.

Summary

AUSL Expands Coverage

ABC will air Game 1 of the AUSL championship on July 25, network TV broadcast.
Disney-Pixar will insert Toy Story 5 characters Woody and Jessie into the parade and segment.
ESPN’s coverage will use 23 cameras and equip player per team and umpire with live microphones for audio.
The league’s expansion to six teams adds a Chicago-vs-Portland play-in game and Adidas and Sephora fan experiences, including a Bonnie-room photo set and Disney Lorcana cards.

History

Historical Context

After the NBA approved the Women’s National Basketball Association on April 24 1996, the WNBA began play in 1997 with eight teams televised on NBC and quickly grew to 15 teams by 2026. Its media-driven expansion and revenue rise have become a template for new leagues; the 2024 Ultimate Softball League mirrors this by launching six teams, securing ABC broadcast rights, and targeting similar fan-base growth.

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AUSL Announces All-Stars

The Ultimate Softball League (AUSL) announced a 45-player All-Star Cup roster on Tuesday, with eight fan-voted picks.
All AUSL clubs are represented, with Chicago, Carolina and Utah each having nine players.
The Cup runs four weeks from August 8 at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois, with redrafts.
Chicago beat Portland 5-4 in 11 innings Thursday and will face No. 1 seed Utah Talons in a best-of-three series this weekend.

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