Kim Ng, the former MLB executive and first female general manager of an MLB team, is joining Athletes Unlimited as a senior advisor to oversee the development of the organization’s new Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL).
Ng will leverage her decades of experience in professional baseball to guide AUSL’s evolution, which is set to begin with four teams playing a 60-game season in a traditional format in the spring of 2025. She will work closely with Athletes Unlimited CEO Jon Patricof and the SVP and director of softball Cheri Kempf.
“Given its growth at the grassroots and collegiate levels in recent years, softball is poised for tremendous growth at the professional level,” Ng said in an embargoed statement. “I believe the AUSL is well positioned for success.”
Ng’s baseball career includes stints with the Miami Marlins (2021-23 as GM), Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-11 as assistant GM) and New York Yankees (1998-2001 as assistant GM). She made history as the youngest assistant general manager with the Yankees. The 2023 Marlins, under Ng’ leadership, posted the fourth-best winning percentage in the franchise’s history, and the team reached the playoffs for the first time in 20 years.
With AUSL, Ng returns to her softball roots. While in MLB’s Baseball and Softball Development department, Ng served as MLB’s representative on the board of USA Softball and worked with key former and current Team USA softball players to grow the sport at the grassroots level. She also played softball at the University of Chicago, where she earned a degree in public policy.
Athletes Unlimited’s new softball league will complement the existing AU Pro Softball Championship Season. Softball icons Jessica Mendoza, Cat Osterman and Natasha Watley serve as advisors to the AUSL, collaborating with Ng, AU leadership and current athletes to guide the league’s direction.
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 six to eight different cities.
Athletes Unlimited made its debut in 2020 with its inaugural AU Pro Softball Championship Season. Since then, it has expanded to include professional women’s lacrosse, volleyball and basketball leagues.
