Spark to join AUSL, Cascade newest expansion team
Coming off the success of the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League, two more teams are joining defending AUSL Champions, Talons, along with the Bandits, Blaze, and Volts, to form a six-team league to compete next summer.
The Oklahoma City Spark, which has played independently over the past few seasons, will provide the league with a home base in one of the most softball-loving cities.
As part of the expansion, Spark Softball — the current operators and original creators of the Spark brand — will serve as the team’s Local Organizer, bringing their deep local ties and operational experience to the AUSL system. Together, AUSL and Spark Softball will build on Oklahoma City’s rich softball tradition to deliver a world-class professional experience for players and fans alike.
Spark Softball will transfer team ownership and certain operational responsibilities to the AUSL, while continuing to lead local business efforts and maintaining a strong presence in the Oklahoma City market. Spark Founder Tina Floyd will be the Executive Director, overseeing local game day operations, marketing and community engagement. Destinee McElroy will serve as the Chief Operating Officer of Spark Softball.
Amber Flores will remain on staff as the team’s head coach. Kirk Walker, who has had a distinguished career in the collegiate softball ranks, will join the Spark as the General Manager. In the AUSL’s inaugural season, Walker served as the Associate Coach for the Talons.
The contracts of players on the Oklahoma City Spark will expire before the year’s end. Therefore, the Spark will begin the 2026 season with a fresh roster. Players currently on the Spark roster will have the opportunity to enter the AUSL’s Allocation Draft, giving them the chance to be selected by all six teams across the league and continue their pro careers in the AUSL. However, there’s a good chance there will be a few former Oklahoma Sooners representing the Spark going forward.
As the AUSL enters a new chapter with the addition of two new expansion teams, the league will host the AUSL Draft, a two-part draft event, designed to support competitive balance and provide opportunity across the league. The AUSL Draft will take place on December 1, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPNU.
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The AUSL Draft event will lead off in its first half with an Expansion Draft, designed to help the Spark and Cascade build a competitive foundation by selecting from unprotected players currently rostered with existing AUSL teams. The Bandits, Blaze, Talons and Volts will begin by protecting five players from their 2025 rosters and will add another protection for every subsequent round after the fifth. The Spark and Cascade can select up to eight players from the unprotected player pool in this draft.
The Allocation Draft will follow, providing opportunities for all six teams to select players who opt in for AUSL consideration, including athletes from the 2024 Reserve Pool and professional players from other independent teams and leagues worldwide.
The remaining roster spots for each team will primarily be filled during the AUSL College Draft in the spring. Golden Tickets will be delivered to select NCAA athletes, inviting top collegiate talent who will finish their eligibility in May.
Additional information on the upcoming season, including home cities for the Bandits, Blaze, Cascade, Talons and Volts, as well as 2026 broadcast and scheduling, will be announced in the coming months.
