ESPN Adds Softball And Lacrosse From Women’s Pro League Athletes Unlimited – Deadline – newsdubai

ESPN, which already broadcasts hundreds of college softball and lacrosse games for women each spring, should also become a destination for the professional versions of these sports.

The Disney-owned sports brand has entered into a two-year deal with new pro-circuit Athletes United, which will see more than 160 games in the air and stream on various platforms. Of the full list of games, 34 of them will be broadcast on ESPN or ESPN2, and 56 will be on ESPNU. Others will stream on ESPN +, like a four-part series without a script, Going Pro: Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse.

Athletes Unlimited, which started focusing on softball in 2020, has since branched out into lacrosse, volleyball and basketball and has implemented a unique, player-centric format. Instead of the conventional focus on city-based teams that draft players, travel to matches and determine a final winner through playoff rounds, Athletes Unlimited focuses on individual athletes and a more meaningful regular season. Weekly drafts constantly mix teams. Players compete for individual points, where one is crowned individual champion at the end of the five-week long season. The strategy aims to take advantage of the new nature of sports fandom, which is beginning to see individual players become more of a draw than specific teams or cities, at least in some sports.

ESPN will also have international rights to play across TSN in Canada, ESPN Latin America and other platforms.

Launched in 2020, Athletes Unlimited Softball will have its third edition in Chicago from July 29 to August 28, with 60 players playing at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, IL. The second season of Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse takes place this summer, with dates and venues to be announced.

“We are proud to partner with ESPN to strengthen Athletes Unlimited Softball and Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse as two of the major pro-sports leagues in the United States,” said Jon Patricof, CEO and co-founder of Athletes Unlimited, in a press release. “This agreement establishes our presence as an important force in the professional sports landscape in the United States, while serving as yet another reminder of ESPN’s commitment to women’s sports.”

Prior to founding the new pro league, Patricof was president of New York City FC, the pro-football team partly owned by the New York Yankees. He was also COO of Tribeca Enterprises, parent of Tribeca Festival and other ventures.

Burke Magnus, president of programming and original content, for ESPN, praised Athletes Unlimited’s “innovative approach” to women’s pro-sports. “We look forward to showcasing these world-class softball and lacrosse athletes as part of our many years of commitment to women’s sports.”

Right now, 31 players from 2021 have re-signed with the league for the 2022 Athletes Unlimited Softball season, including 12 Olympians from four countries.