IMG Academy and Athletes Unlimited Softball League Partner to Empower the Next Generation of Female Student-Athletes
IMG Academy
Bradenton, FL / New York, NY (July 15, 2025) — IMG Academy and the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) today announced a dynamic partnership aimed at inspiring and empowering the next generation of female student-athletes. As two industry leaders committed to long-term student-athlete development in softball, the partnership will bring the elite performance culture of IMG Academy directly to the fans and communities served by the AUSL.
At the heart of the collaboration will be several themed IMG Academy Youth Nights at AUSL games — a high-energy, family-friendly activation taking place in four top-tier softball markets throughout the AUSL Regular Season and the AUSL All-Star Cup:
Round Rock, TX on July 18
Tuscaloosa, AL on July 23
Raleigh, NC on Aug. 2
Rosemont, IL on Aug. 29
“This partnership with IMG Academy represents another important step in our mission to grow the game of softball and inspire the next generation,” said Kim Ng, Commissioner of the AUSL. “By creating opportunities for young athletes to interact with our players and experience the excitement of professional softball firsthand, we’re building a stronger, more connected future for the sport.”
These theme nights will feature custom game-day experiences, branded giveaways, live activations, and hitting clinics hosted by Olympian and former Athletes Unlimited professional athlete Joey Lye, now serving as Softball Director at IMG Academy. The events are designed to introduce student-athletes and their families to IMG Academy’s unique approach to sport, education, and personal development.
“This partnership is all about showing student-athletes what’s possible and meeting them where they are within the sport of softball,” said Lye, Softball Director at IMG Academy. “We’re excited to bring the expertise, energy, and purpose of IMG Academy to passionate softball communities across the country. Whether it’s a student-athlete working to elevate their game, exploring opportunities to play at the next level, or dreaming of competing in college softball, we want to help her take that next step.”
In addition to on-site activations, the partnership includes:
Social media integrations, with collaborative content and highlights from each event
National media exposure, including commercials and in-game features across ESPN platforms
Email and digital presence, driving awareness and engagement among student-athletes and families to both AUSL games and IMG Academy offerings
Brand visibility, with signage placements and promotional codes for IMG Academy offerings distributed through the AUSL network and ticket discounts for AUSL events going through IMG Academy’s network
“This collaboration brings together two organizations that believe deeply in the power of sport to shape lives,” said Vanessa Taveras, Chief Partnerships Officer, Athletes Unlimited. “Through on-site activations, digital content, and national exposure, we’re creating meaningful, memorable experiences for student-athletes and their families – while introducing them to both the excellence of IMG Academy and the energy of the AUSL.”
IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:
Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
Online coaching via IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
Online college recruiting, via NCSA and SportsRecruits, providing unmatched college recruiting education and services to student-athletes and their families, club coaches, and event operators, and is the premier service for college coaches
To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.
About Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL)
Launching in 2025, the AUSL features four teams playing a 24-game season (48 total games) in a traditional format. It will also be complemented and followed by the AUSL All-Star Cup (formerly known as the AU Pro Softball Championship Season), creating a new opportunity for the world’s best players to compete. Backed by Major League Baseball and led by Commissioner Kim Ng, the AUSL also is supported by its Player Executive Committee (Aubrey Leach, Megan Faraimo, Sierra Romero, Morgan Zerkle and Sharlize Palacois), and softball legends Jennie Finch, Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman and Natasha Watley, who serve as advisors to the AUSL. The AUSL will become a city-based league beginning in 2026, while the inaugural season in 2025 will be a touring property featuring games in 12 different cities. For more information follow @theauslofficial and visit theausl.com.
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