September 9, 2024, New York, N.Y. – As women’s basketball continues to explode in popularity, Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball will bring professional women’s basketball to Nashville, Tenn., as the Nashville Municipal Auditorium will host the league’s fourth championship season this winter. The 24-game campaign will run from February 5 – March 2, 2025. With a four-week competition promoting playoff-level intensity in every game, AU Pro Basketball features world-class talent – during the 2024 season, 29 of the 40 players had WNBA experience – competing to be crowned individual champion.
Group and season ticket deposits for the upcoming season are available now at AUProBasketball.com. The 40-player roster, as well as the full schedule for the 2025 AU Pro Basketball season, including broadcast information, game dates, and times, will be announced at a later date.
AU Pro Basketball was the first winter pro women's basketball league to launch in the U.S. when it started in 2021. It innovated around the idea of providing an ability for WNBA players to stay in the U.S. during the WNBA offseason while also providing playing opportunities for elite pro players not currently on WNBA rosters.
AU Pro Basketball features a range of scoring innovations to bring athletes and fans a unique and intense version of the sport, while featuring a traditional full-court five-on-five format. Individual athletes earn points based on both team wins and individual performance to become the champions in team sports. Points are earned on every play, and the leaderboard will change constantly. In addition, teams change each week with the top four athletes in the standings serving as captains and drafting their teams. At the end of the four-week season, the player with the most points is crowned as the league’s individual champion.
Previous seasons of AU Pro Basketball took place in Las Vegas (2022) and Dallas (2023 & 2024). Allisha Gray won the 2024 AU Pro Basketball title, joining NaLyssa Smith (2023) and Tianna Hawkins (2022) as AU Pro Basketball Champions.
AU Pro Basketball is part of Athletes Unlimited, which was named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2023 and features an Advisory Board comprised of an illustrious group of high-profile contributors from the worlds of sports, business, and entertainment including basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes, two-time NBA champion and entrepreneur Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman of 35 Ventures; and U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team superstar Abby Wambach, among many others.
“The city of Nashville has been so enthusiastic and welcoming to us, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to bring Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball to Music City,” said Megan Perry, Director of Basketball for Athletes Unlimited. “Tennessee has long been a hotbed for women’s basketball as the home of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and its rich history at the collegiate level. We're excited to bring a roster full of elite professional talent on the court and on the sidelines back to fans in the region."
"It's inspiring to see how women's sports has captured the nation's attention, from the college basketball tournament in the spring, the popularity of the ongoing WNBA season, and through the Olympic Games this summer. Having the athletes driving the AU Pro Basketball season at Municipal Auditorium is an exciting opportunity to showcase WNBA level experience and talent in Nashville,” said Freddie O’Connell, Mayor, Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County. “As mayor of a great sports city, and as father of two daughters who are both athletes and women's sports fans, I'm excited to welcome the league and players to our city."
“Athletes Unlimited has given so many players like myself the opportunity to play world-class basketball domestically during the WNBA offseason while offering players a real seat at the table regarding all important decisions about the league,” said Lexie Brown, who chairs the AU Pro Basketball Player Executive Committee and also plays for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA. “I have heard from many players who are looking forward to competing in Nashville, a city that has been passionate about women’s basketball for a long time.”
“This event couldn’t come at a better time as women’s basketball is truly having a moment in the spotlight. Nashville has always been a proud sports city with a rich history of women’s athletics, and this tournament will only enhance our reputation as a premier destination for sports events,” said Deana Ivey, President & CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation. “We are excited about the national television coverage that will inspire future visitors to Nashville, and hosting in February will give our local hospitality industry a much-needed boost during what is typically a slower time of the year. We look forward to welcoming all the athletes to Music City.”
“Welcome Athletes Unlimited! The Sports Authority has paid close attention to the rise of women’s basketball, and the growth of women’s sports over the past five years. From surveying community interest in women’s professional sport to spotlighting local legends during the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, the Sports Authority is committed to the advancement of girls and women in sports on all levels,” said Monica Fawknotson, Executive Director, Metro Nashville Sports Authority. “We are thrilled to have Athletes Unlimited in Nashville for its fourth season. To have this level of basketball talent playing in our backyard is a treat.”
“We look forward to welcoming Athletes Unlimited and their multi-week women’s basketball tournament to Music City and historic Municipal Auditorium,” said Scott Ramsey, President & CEO, Nashville Sports Council. We are excited to support the event and offer our community the opportunity to experience a new, exciting version of professional women’s basketball.
"On behalf of the Women in Sports (WIS) Committee, I would like to express our excitement for Nashville to host the upcoming Athletes Unlimited 2025 Women's basketball season!” said Sheila Gibson, Nashville Sports Council/Women in Sports Committee, Chair. “As the Chair of the Committee, I look forward to fostering the partnership with AU and supporting the representation of women's professional sports in the city of Nashville. The emergence of women's sports is undeniable and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase our city's support for women's basketball and pave the path for more opportunities in the future!”
”Municipal Auditorium is excited to host Athletes Unlimited and continue our support of women’s sports in our venue programming,” said Blake McDaniel, Nashville Municipal Auditorium Commission Chair. “Among those sports, we have been fortunate to host women’s gymnastics, women’s bodybuilding, cheerleading competitions, and now we are proud to help women shine on the basketball court as well. We are so grateful to be AU’s Nashville home this winter.”
"The Metropolitan Council of Nashville and Davidson County, through the Women's, LGBTQ, and Minority Caucus representatives, have already prepared a welcoming Resolution and eagerly, and without reservation, looks forward to seeing the positive community impact that AU Basketball in Nashville will bring," said Nashville City Council member Brenda Gadd, District 24.
About Athletes Unlimited
Named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in 2023, Athletes Unlimited is a new model of pro sports, where athletes are decision-makers and individual players are champions of team sports. Athletes Unlimited owns and operates professional women’s softball, lacrosse, volleyball, and basketball leagues featuring world-class competition and fan experience, and stands out as an organization driven by the athletes that play in the leagues, with athlete representation on the company’s board of directors, each league led by a Player Executive Committee, and players sharing in long-term profits of the company, all while being proactive in shaping policies supporting the mothers that play in the league. Athletes Unlimited is the first professional sports league to be organized as a Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit AUProSports.com.
###