‘Golden Tickets’ Could Juice Athletes Unlimited Softball League Draft
They guarantee players that they’ll be selected in the AUSL college draft.
A flashy system is bringing increased spotlight to a pro softball league hoping to gain footing in its second season. The MLB-backed Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL), run by former Marlins GM Kim Ng , announces the players in its annual college draft by handing future draftees “golden tickets” during or after their NCAA games. This ticket ensures that players will be selected by one of the six AUSL teams in the May draft.
This year, AUSL handed 17 NCAA players golden tickets. Million-dollar Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady received the first at a March 27 home game, with Red Raiders alum Patrick Mahomes making the announcement. The first golden ticket of the season goes to our own, NiJaree Canady!
@theAUSLofficial x @adidasDugout pic. twitter. com/8nPiVxyQ67 — Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB) March 28, 2026 Athletes Unlimited VP Cheri Kempf originated the golden-ticket system.
She tells Front Office Sports that she wanted to give athletes individualized moments before getting drafted, since players will not attend the in-person event in Nashville amid the college season. “The players are present. Their fans are present.