Olympics star Jessica Mendoza compares Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s growth for women’s softball with WNBA ahead of LA28

The 2026 NCAA women’s softball season has begun. Players are chasing more than a national title. The biggest prize will come later at the Women’s College World Series in May and June.

But there is another major goal ahead. Softball will return to the Olympic Games at LA28. That moment is now only two years away. Many college stars hope to wear Team USA colors on home soil and compete for gold.At the same time, the professional game is growing fast. The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) is entering its second season. Major League Baseball has invested in the league. AUSL has expanded to six teams.

Each team will play 25 regular-season games in June and July before the playoffs. Olympic champion Jessica Mendoza believes this is a key moment for the sport’s future.

Jessica Mendoza believes investments by MLB can change the future of women’s softball before LA28

Jessica Mendoza said this is the moment players have long waited for. In her view, softball once revolved only around college and the Olympics. Professional leagues existed, but few people noticed them. Speaking to the Olympics official website, she explained that athletes needed a place to compete in the years between Olympic Games, especially when softball was removed after Beijing 2008 and returned briefly at Tokyo 2020.

She believes Athletes Unlimited now fills that gap and offers the highest level of play outside the Olympics.Mendoza feels the support from MLB could change everything. She compared it to how the WNBA grew with help from the NBA. She said today’s digital age also helps AUSL reach more fans. Women’s sports like basketball, soccer, and hockey are booming, and she believes softball can grow with them.When asked if softball needs a fun version like the Savannah Bananas and their “Banana Ball”, Mendoza said entertainment has value.

But she added that women’s sports must first prove their talent and skill before adding too many show elements.Looking ahead to LA28, Mendoza called it a full-circle moment. Softball debuted at Atlanta 1996. Though Olympic games will be played in Oklahoma City, she believes fans will pack the stadium. She expects stars like Amanda Lorenz, Tiare Jennings, Jayda Coleman, and Ally Carda to lead Team USA.Mendoza said players must embrace the pressure. She believes pressure is a privilege and that Team USA should aim for nothing less than gold.