Athletes Unlimited Basketball Heads to Nashville

Athletes Unlimited Basketball’s 2025 season will take place in Nashville, bringing professional women’s basketball to the Nashville Municipal Auditorium for the league’s fourth championship season.

The 24-game campaign will run from February 5 to March 2, 2025. The competition will feature some of the best women’s players in the world, as the 2024 season included 29 of the 40 players having WNBA experience.

“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.”

Previous seasons of AU Pro Basketball took place in Las Vegas (2022) and Dallas (2023 and 2024). Allisha Gray won the 2024 AU Pro Basketball title, joining NaLyssa Smith (2023) and Tianna Hawkins (2022) as AU Pro Basketball Champions.

“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,” said Monica Fawknotson, executive director, Metro Nashville Sports Authority. “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. 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.”

While AU Basketball features a full-court five-on-five format, individual athletes earn points based on both team wins and individual performance to become the champions. Points are earned on every play and the leaderboard will change constantly. 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 individual champion.

“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.”

AU Pro Basketball is part of Athletes Unlimited, which features an Advisory Board including basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes, two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant and U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team star Abby Wambach. The 40-player roster as well as the full schedulewill be announced at a later date.

“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 and chief executive officer, Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation.