Athletes Unlimited Softball Increases Partner Roster to 17 Ahead of Second Season

Athletes Unlimited Softball today announced the addition of four partners to bring the total to 17 ahead of its second season. Beginning on Saturday in suburban Chicago, 60 of the world’s top players – highlighted by 22 Olympians – will take the field at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois, for a total of 30 games across five weeks. 

Aspiration a global leader in ‘Sustainability as a Service’ solutions for consumers and companies; HitTrax, a game-changing system for baseball/softball training and entertainment; and Mizuno, a global performance sporting goods company, have all renewed their Athletes Unlimited Softball partnerships, while apparel and equipment brand Firsty is the latest newcomer to the league. 

The four partners join previously announced Bat Club USA, which is serving as Athlete Unlimited Softball’s Signature Bat Service Partner. The Athletes Unlimited overall sponsorship portfolio also includes official partners Gatorade, GigLabs, Guaranteed Rate, GEICO, Hyperice, Nike, Topps and WEST + WILDER, as well as supporting partners Blue Sky CBD, Lasso Gear, Super Coffee and VKTRY.

Together with The Topps Company and GigLabs, Athletes Unlimited Softball will be offering fans unprecedented collectibles opportunities during its second season. 

Topps’ limited edition commemorative trading card set, which launched today exclusively at Topps.com, features all 60 players, including 22 Olympians from five countries – such as Amanda Chidester, Victoria Hayward, Cat Osterman and Anissa Urtez – and many exciting rookies, such as NCAA standout Odicci Alexander. 

In addition to showcasing the individual players, the 65-piece box set will also include specialty cards that highlight standout moments from past and present. Only the second of its kind, the $19.99 set will be on sale today through Sept. 30. 

In partnership with GigLabs, Athletes Unlimited will also offer fans access to exclusive non-fungible tokens. Athletes Unlimited Softball NFTs will be available free via time-limited QR claim codes in-venue each weekend of the season, with a sixth collectible unlocked for fans who get all five. The first in the in-stadium series will feature 2020 Athletes Unlimited champion Osterman. An additional NFT will be available to Unlimited Club members, giving remote fans the chance to collect Athletes Unlimited digital art for the first time.

“Entering our second season, Athletes Unlimited Softball continues to gain momentum following incredible NCAA and Olympic tournaments,” said Athletes Unlimited CEO and Co-Founder Jon Patricof. “Thanks to these new and returning partners, we’re able to give the best players in the world a platform to continue showcasing their pride, passion and talent to audiences all over the globe.”

Aspiration will continue serving as the league’s Official Social Impact Banking Alternative Partner, focusing on combating climate change by planting 100 trees for every run scored throughout the five-week season. 

Mizuno will remain the league’s Official Ball Partner, providing its signature MS380 softball for all Athletes Unlimited training and games. In addition,  Athletes Unlimited and Mizuno co-hosted a free softball clinic in Rosemont for 70 girls on Aug. 21.

On the supporting partner side, newcomer Firsty will provide its HYPRGRIP premium bat tape and Align Eight grip accessory, while also partnering with the Innovation Lab. Meanwhile, Supporting Batting Cage Technology Partner HitTrax returns to the Innovation Lab, supplying its patented technology that offers real-time stats, and key performance metrics to improve overall player performance. HitTrax will also be available for fans on game days in the Athletes Unlimited concourse batting cage.