ESPN and Athletes Unlimited announced a three-year rights extension Wednesday that makes ESPN the official broadcast partner for the women's professional sports company's softball, basketball and volleyball leagues.

ESPN platforms will broadcast more than 50 exclusive Athletes Unlimited Softball League games each year during the deal. ABC will broadcast at least one AUSL championship series game in 2026. It will be the first time women’s pro softball will be shown on network television in the United States.

ESPN also will show all 24 games of Athletes Unlimited's basketball and volleyball leagues on ESPNU and ESPN+.

Rosalyn Durant, ESPN’s executive vice president for programming and acquisitions, said increased interest in women’s sports led to the deal.

“The growth we’ve seen acro

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