From Golden Tickets to City Stops: How The AUSL Is Reimagining Pro Softball

The first-ever AUSL College Draft wasn’t just a launch pad for 12 elite athletes — it marked a turning point for the sport itself.

Softball has always had the talent. Now, it has a league that’s finally matching that talent with storytelling, visibility, and emotion.

From the golden ticket surprise to a cross-country schedule packed with high-level play and high-touch fan interaction, AUSL is making sure softball isn’t just played — it’s watched, felt, and celebrated.

And for the class of 2025, the journey started with a simple envelope — one that didn’t just change their season, but might change the sport.

But before we meet the 12 newest additions to the league, here’s how the draft process actually works.

Not Your Average Draft: Surprise Reveals and Private Picks

Unlike other leagues, Athletes Unlimited took a golden-ticket approach — literally. In the weeks leading up to the public reveal, league reps traveled to college campuses across the country, surprising athletes in person with a golden envelope.

The players had no idea what team they were going to. In fact, during the first AUSL College Draft show on ESPNU, the rest of the world found out at the same time they did.

That’s because AUSL teams submitted their picks privately in advance, selecting three players each across three rounds.

The draft class is full of All-Americans, record breakers, and conference standouts. Some of them were also still competing in the Women’s College World Series when the picks were announced — which meant AUSL’s launch would happen almost immediately after their final NCAA games.

But the real magic came in the moments these athletes received their golden tickets.

Florida’s Korbe Otis received hers right after walking off Alabama with a game-winning single. “I didn’t know it was coming,” she said in her postgame interview. “I’m so grateful. This has been the best day.”

Virginia Tech’s Emma Lemley was the very first ticket recipient — and it came after back-to-back perfect games to start the season. 

Mississippi State’s Raelin Chaffin and Sierra Sacco both learned they were drafted at a Bulldog Baseball game.

Each moment, each surprise, was personal and powerful. These weren’t just pro contracts — they were acknowledgments of excellence.

OU coach Patty Gasso said of Sam Landry’s ticket moment: “I gotta tell you it’s the coolest, coolest thing … It was like Willy Wonka … handing you the Golden Ticket to the chocolate factory” 

And Landry herself shared: “It’s surreal … Before I got here … I probably didn’t have that much interest in going pro … So getting that was very surreal. It’s a blessing”

Watch all 12 Golden Ticket moments here: https://theausl.com/news/ausl-college-draft-golden-ticket-tracker

Meet the 2025 Draft Class... And Their 2025 Stats

Sam Landry (Volts) — 25–6 record, 1.94 ERA, 186 strikeouts in 191.2 innings pitched over 37 appearances; led NCAA active pitchers with 80 career wins; earned three SEC Pitcher of the Week awards

Bri Ellis (Talons) — .440 with 26 home runs, 72 RBI, 146 total bases, 69 walks, and 68 runs scored while posting a 1.090 slugging percentage; the nation’s leader in OBP and SLG, and a first-team All-SEC honoree; D1 Softball Player of the Year

Emma Lemley (Blaze) — 18–8 record, 2.65 ERA, 196 strikeouts (led ACC) in 37 appearances, tied for most Division I no-hitters (4), including back-to-back perfect games;

Cori McMillan (Bandits) — .432 AVG, 31 HR, 65 RBI, 15 SB, 1.047 SLG; led NCAA in HR; broke VT single-season HR & SLG records 

Sierra Sacco (Talons) — .450 AVG. that ranked fourth in program history and 12th nationally, second all-time for runs (64) and third for doubles (19) in a season, perfect fielding percentage

Korbe Otis (Blaze) — .318 AVG, 42 RBI, 6 HR, 50 walks in 65 games; ranked 4th in walks in the SEC, 9th nationally

Emiley Kennedy (Bandits) — 21–4, 2.57 ERA, 132 K in 138.2 IP with 16 complete games; SEC First‑Team & First Aggie with ≥200 Ks since 2013

Michaela Edenfield (Volts) — .331 AVG, 10 HR, 49 RBI, .630 SLG, .490 OBP in 61 games; ended career with .313 AVG, 54 HR (3rd in FSU history), 202 RBI

Ana Gold (Blaze) — .333 AVG, 16 HR, 63 RBI, .640 SLG, .420 OBP; set Duke career HR record (54); hit two grand slams in one game

Devyn Netz (Bandits) — 22–6, 2.25 ERA, 118 K, .94 WHIP, 7 CG, 36 GP, 152.1 IP; .347 AVG, 19 HR as hitter; Only player in Arizona history to throw a perfect game and homer in the same outing.

Danieca Coffey (Volts) — .388 AVG, 69 hits, 11 doubles, 55 runs in 58 games; SEC Second Team; LSU’s all-time leader in AVG & OBP; came back from ACL surgery and led the Tigers in nearly every stat.

Raelin Chaffin (Talons) — 23 wins (4th SEC), 205 Ks, 19 CG (5th NCAA), 43 appearances; career 46–18, 3.04 ERA, 362 Ks in 389.1 IP

A League Built on Showmanship and Stars

The draft is just the beginning. With former Marlins GM Kim Ng at the helm and softball legend Jennie Finch as an advisor (and golden ticket courier), AUSL is building a league that blends elite play with live entertainment. And that includes where the games are played.

AUSL’s touring model feels familiar — but not gimmicky. Much like the Savannah Bananas originally popularized a city-to-city format, AUSL is using travel to build community, grow the game, and meet fans where they are.

But unlike the Bananas, AUSL isn’t focused on trick plays or TikTok dances — it’s all about elite competition. The league is professional, data-backed, and highly competitive.

For players, that means visibility. For cities, that means revenue.

Instead of limiting fans to one city, AUSL will travel the country in 2025 — hitting stops in places like Rosemont, Wichita, Norman, Round Rock, and Sulphur, Louisiana — a hotbed of youth softball with a growing pro-ready crowd.

“Bringing games to different cities lets fans fall in love with the players right in their own backyard,” Finch said. “We’re creating a product that’s exciting to watch and to follow.”

And from a business perspective, the model makes sense:

• Expanded reach: A traveling format introduces the league to new audiences every week, building regional momentum ahead of permanent team locations.
• Sponsorship activation: Brand partners can tailor promotions to individual markets, tapping into localized enthusiasm and community roots.
• Media expansion: Different markets = different media coverage = national footprint.
• Youth engagement: Clinics, meet-and-greets, and community appearances in each city foster organic fandom among the next generation of players.

Why the AUSL Draft Model Works

Each game day brings hundreds of fans, media, and families into town — all of which boosts local economies. From ticket sales and hotel stays to merch drops and fan activations, AUSL’s traveling format isn’t just fun. It’s strategic.

Beginning in 2026, the league will shift to a city-based model with permanent homes. But for now? This tour is how pro softball takes root. And with a draft class like this, the foundation is already solid.

This wasn’t just a draft — it was a declaration. AUSL isn’t waiting for the world to catch up to softball. It’s taking the game to the people, building stars, and proving that pro softball isn’t a side act — it’s the main event.