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AU Basketball Wraps Up a Golden Month and Crowns a New Star of the Women's Game in Nashville
It's an exciting time for Women's Basketball and the city of Nashville has just experienced their own fair share of the "Caitlin Clark" effect as the Athlete's Unlimited Basketball tournament concluded their month long stay at the Municipal Auditorium. On Sunday, March 02, 2025 - the doubleheader dubbed "Champion's Night" by the league - included two action-packed games that led to the crowning of Forward Maddy Siegrist as the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball Champion.
It was Champion's Night in Nashville on March 02, 2025 at the Muncipal Auditorium. Yes, you heard that right - an individual player was named league champion and that is just one of several unique innovations that makes AU a standout off-season showcase for 40-plus women stars of the hardcourt game. AU Pro Basketball features top talent on the court and the sidelines, including WNBA All-Stars, Champions and Hall of Famers. Off the court, the athletes recruit fellow pros, create league rules and retain equity in the league. On the court, the top four players become new captains each week and draft their teams from scratch for each week's games. The AU scoring system differs from traditional rules in that every player can lose or win points during every game. Athletes score points as individuals and as a team to win MVP titles and cash bonuses. After each game, players and fans get a chance to vote for their MVP. Now, just concluding their fourth season and the first in Nashville -- Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball has just announced an exciting multi-year renewal signing with Music City to ensure that AU Pro Basketball returns to the region for the 2026 season and beyond. In Tennessee - AU found significant community engagement, consistent enthusiasm from fans and attendance numbers that were by far the best in the league's four-year history.
AU action concludes with Maddy Siegrist crowned as the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball champion. Leading up to the final weekend AU Pro Basketball was projecting to finish 77 percent above last year's previous high attendance numbers. With merchandise sales seeing a 97 percent overall climb from last year and social media engagement also seeing a two-thirds boost it's clear that Nashville was the perfect choice to host women's basketball at a time that coincides with more interest and a growing national spotlight on the sport. "It's been great. I mean, we're in a great spot. I think there's a lot going on. Besides from a couple of cold weeks there's not too much to complain about," said AU 2025 Pro Basketball Champion, Maddy Siegrist in a post game press conference when asked about playing in Music City. "I think the facility has been great. Where we stay is great. It's been a first-class experience and seeing the way the city of Nashville has shown up I think is huge." "When we think about women's sports - that's who we are - and we want to represent that in multiple fashions. We think that the platform that Nashville has provided us to do so has been, as Maddy says, first class," replied Megan Perry, Vice President of Basketball, Athletes Unlimited, echoing the sentiments of her newly crowned star player at the same presser. "There are so many organizations that have tapped into us and we are eager to share that love right back with them."
Music City welcomed halftime performer Britney Spencer. On Sunday, forward Maddy Siegrist was crowned as the 2025 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball Champion. The WNBA 2024 rookie on the Dallas Wings finished the four-week season atop the 41-player leaderboard with a league-record 7,052 leaderboard points at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium marking her first championship with Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball. Siegrist joins guard Allisha Gray (2024) and forwards NaLyssa Smith (2023) and Tianna Hawkins (2022) as AU Pro Basketball Champions. Guard Odyssey Sims (6,595 points) placed second in the final league standings, while guard Crystal Bradford followed in third place with 5,304 leaderboard points. Forward Maya Caldwell completed the medalist quartet after collecting 4,860 points. Guard Shey Peddy was honored as the AU Pro Basketball Defensive Player of the Year, while Sims, Bradford, center Elizabeth Williams and forward Alysha Clark joined her on the All-Defensive Team. In addition, guard Tyasha Harris was voted as Newcomer of the Year by the league's players and facilitators. Throughout the season AU also brought exciting entertainment for the enthusiastic and impressive crowds gathered downtown. We witnessed youth basketball matches, cultural dance exhibitions and singer-songwriters during the halftime segments. The final performer for the season was the convincing and commanding country artist Britney Spencer who definitely made some new fans during her three-song showcase on Champion's Night. Now, we can't for 2026 to watch how Athletes Unlimited will build upon their momentum gained in Music City. Whatever happens - as their slogan says - we know they'll make every moment count when they return next February.
AU will return to Nashville in 2026 where the golden confetti will fly once again at the historic arena. Related Links: For more information on ATHLETES UNLIMITED and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - Athletes Unlimited | Every Moment Counts in AU Pro Basketball | Nashville Municipal Auditorium
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