Building on its first season of competition, the Professional Softball League (PSL) will unite six independently owned member teams for a 40-game season culminating in the PSL Championship.

The PSL today announced the next phase of its growth, bringing together six independently owned member teams, new strategic investment, and additional operating resources for the 2027 season.

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PSL Plans for Six Teams in 2027

Building on the foundation established by the PSL’s team owners, players, and league leadership, the expanded structure is designed to strengthen league operations, enhance the player and fan experience, and create more opportunities for women to compete professionally.

Six teams will compete as members of a unified professional league in 2027:

• Florida Vibe

• Knoxville Miracle

• St. Louis Gateway Gold

• Atlanta Smoke

• Kansas City Diamonds

• Birmingham Iron 

The season will feature a 40-game schedule, league standings, and the PSL Championship at the end of the summer.

According to a release sent today from the league:

“The PSL model combines strong local ownership with the resources and structure of a national professional league. Each team will continue building its own identity, fan base, commercial partnerships, and community relationships, while the PSL provides shared standards and support in areas such as scheduling, media, marketing, and league operations.”

Players will be at the center of the PSL’s 2027 season.

Across six team markets, athletes will compete for the PSL Championship, bringing professional softball to more fans and building lasting connections in their communities.

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Community Sports Partners to Support League Growth

Community Sports Partners (CSP) will join the PSL as a strategic ownership and operating partner, working alongside team owners and league leadership. The partnership will bring additional resources, professional sports experience, and infrastructure to support the league’s continued growth.

“Owning the Kansas City Monarchs and seeing the Diamonds play in our stadium gave me a front-row seat to the community impact of professional softball,” said Quint Studer, chairman and CEO of Community Sports Partners.

“The energy on the field and in the stands was electric. CSP exists to make people and places, and therefore communities, better. The PSL investment supports this mission. We are grateful to all of the team owners for the opportunity to be part of something this special.”

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Owners Share Their Visions for the League

The league’s team owners believe the combination of strong local ownership and shared league resources creates a foundation for sustainable growth while allowing each organization to preserve its identity and community relationships.

Each of the half dozen leaders believes the opportunities to continually grow and help today’s standout athletes while building the foundation for the future will ensure the sport is around for generations to come.

Here’s a look at what each owner believes the PSL will do for the game…

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Jeremy McDowell, owner of the Kansas City Diamonds. has long been immersed in the travel ball world as the co-founder and president of Top Gun Events, one of the top event producers in the club space.

He says he’s excited about all the synergies involved with the PSL growing fastpitch softball locally and nationally at all levels.

“From the beginning, the Kansas City Diamonds have been built around creating opportunity for players and bringing people together through softball,” said

“I’m proud to be part of a group of team owners committed to building the PSL with strong local roots and a shared vision for the game’s future.”

“We’re excited for what this means for our players, our fans, and the Kansas City community.

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Ryan Moore, owner of the Florida Vibe, sees this advancement in pro softball as something he’s long hoped would happen in the sport.

“When I started the Vibe, I dreamed that one day we could be part of a professional league built to give women more opportunities in softball.”

“To see that vision becoming a reality in the PSL, with new investment and a strong group of team owners behind it, means a lot. As we enter our sixth year, I’m excited about what the future holds for the Vibe, our players, and the game.”

“For the PSL’s member teams, the new investment will provide additional support as they strengthen their organizations, deepen their community connections, and build the professional game in their markets.”

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Eugene Bleeker, who has already made a big impact in Knoxville with his 108 Performance state-of-the-art baseball and softball facility, is encouraged with the resources and direction the PSL now has.

“I’m excited about what the new investment means for the PSL and for the Knoxville Miracle.”

“It gives us an opportunity to strengthen the league, support our players, and build a lasting connection with our community.

I’ve spent my career helping athletes develop and reach their potential, and I’m proud to be part of creating more opportunities for women to compete professionally and inspire the next generation.”

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Matt Kornegay, owner of the Birmingham Iron, feels his teams as well as the others in the PSL will make deep and positive impressions in the communities they play in.

“Birmingham and Alabama have a deep tradition of hard work, resilience, and passionate softball fans,” he explains.

“We’re proud to build the Birmingham Iron into a professional organization our community can call its own.”

“With new investment and a committed group of team owners, the PSL is laying the groundwork for more women to pursue a career in professional softball.

We’re excited to help build that future and represent Birmingham and Alabama along the way.”

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Kyle McClellan is the founder of the St. Louis Gateway Gold team and brings a strong baseball background that saw him pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals for five years (2008-2013) and the Texas Ranges for one (2013)

“I was fortunate to experience playing at the highest level in St. Louis,” he says, “and have seen the opportunities the game can create.”

“I want female athletes to have that same opportunity to play in front of an incredible fan base, pursue a professional career, grow the game, and inspire the next generation.”

“Helping build the Gateway Gold in St. Louis and the PSL is a chance to be part of making that future real.”

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Also coming from a high-level baseball perspective is Brandon Phillips, who played 17 years in the majors—mostly with the Cincinnati Reds—and was a four-time Gold Glove winner and a three-time Major League Baseball All-Star.

“The PSL represents an important step forward for the growth of professional softball,” he begins.

“Bringing teams together under one unified league creates a stronger platform while still allowing each organization to bring its own identity and energy to the game.”

“With my experience in Major League Baseball, I’ve seen what a professional environment can mean for players and communities, so we want these women to have that same first-class experience and young girls to see a real future in this game beyond college.”

“With the Atlanta Smoke, we’re extremely proud to have won four straight championships and become the first-ever PSL champions, but what means even more is using that success to help grow the league, strengthen our community, and build something lasting for the next generation.”

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2027 & Beyond… Building a Foundation for Long-Term Growth

The league’s vision extends well beyond the 2027 season.

The PSL is working to build a sustainable professional softball ecosystem that expands opportunities for women, strengthens teams in their local communities, and creates a foundation for long-term growth.

Additional details on rosters, the schedule, venues, media plans, partnerships, and player development opportunities will be announced as plans are finalized.

Players, fans, prospective partners, and others interested in receiving information about future PSL opportunities may visit www.professionalsoftballleague.com.