• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Athletes Unlimited Receives $30M to Fund Women’s Leagues

  • The company’s investors include Kevin Durant’s 35V, David Blitzer, and Angela Ruggiero.
  • Co-founder Jonathan Soros said he hopes the new funds will help the leagues continue their momentum.
Athletes-Unlimited
Athletes Unlimited

Athletes Unlimited, the multi-sport women’s league launched in 2020, has completed its first outside capital raise.

The company announced a $30 million funding round on Thursday that included Kevin Durant’s 35V, David Blitzer, and Angela Ruggiero. 

Athletes Unlimited began with a softball league in 2020 and ballooned to run women’s volleyball, lacrosse, and basketball leagues. Instead of having set teams, players rotate for each competition, earning individual points.

The company has grown in popularity. 

  • AU most recently signed a media deal with ESPN for softball and lacrosse. 
  • It boasts major sponsors like Nike and GEICO
  • It has a star-studded list of advisors, including Durant, Rich Kleiman, Jessica Mendoza, Taylor Rooks, and Abby Wambach.
  • Each sport has drawn top athletes —  its basketball league featured Lexie Brown, Natasha Cloud, and Courtney Williams in its inaugural season. 

The league provides players with decent salaries given the short seasons — it planned to offer 44 women’s basketball players more than $1 million in aggregate, or an average of $20,000 per person. 

Room For Growth

Athletes Unlimited, a designated Public Benefit Corporation, seeks investors aligned with its athlete-oriented ethos.

“These investors share our vision and our ambition to not only reimagine professional sports, but also to rethink the way a business can — and should — show up in the world,” Jonathan Soros, Athletes Unlimited co-founder, said. 

Soros said he hopes the new funds will help the leagues continue their momentum.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sabrina Ionescu with the New York Liberty shots over defenders from the Toyota Antelopes during the first half at Matthew Knight Arena May 12, 2025 in Eugene.

How Preseason Games Have Become a Key Revenue Stream for WNBA Teams

The WNBA’s preseason featured four games played on college campuses.

Colleges Are Raising Student Fees to Pay for Athlete Revenue-Sharing

Schools are preparing to pay student athletes up to $20.5 million annually.

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.

NBA Conference Gap Wider Than Ever Amid Injuries to East’s Best

A team from the West has won the NBA title 17 times since 2000.
June 22, 2025

WNBA Players Drop Fresh Statement in CBA Fight: ‘We Want a Fair..

The WNBA All-Star Game is less than four weeks away.
June 22, 2025

Thunder Win NBA Finals Behind Young, Deep, and Cheap Roster

The Thunder’s young and cheap roster won its first title Sunday.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
June 20, 2025

Pac-12 Still Playing Conference Tetris As Realignment Heats Up

Sacramento State is leaving the Big Sky for the Big West.
June 19, 2025

Fire Rekindled? WNBA’s Portland Expansion Team Eyes Original Name

WNBA trademarks hint at Portland Fire revival as league expands and honors history.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates after scoring a 3-pointer Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during a game between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Connecticut Sun, 88-71.
June 18, 2025

Caitlin Clark ‘Celebrates’ Chance at $500K Commissioner’s Cup Prize

The winning team shares a $500,000 prize pool.
June 18, 2025

Dana White’s Next Frontier: Making Jiu-Jitsu Mainstream

The TKO Group Holdings–owned competition expands once again.