Maya Brady, niece of NFL icon, joins Athletes Unlimited Softball League

Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Maya Brady, the niece of NFL legend Tom Brady who hit the second-most home runs in UCLA Bruins history, will join the Athletes Unlimited Softball League for its inaugural draft, she announced Tuesday on social media.

"Couldn't walk away just yet," Brady wrote on her Instagram story.

Brady, 23, hit .384 with 71 home runs and 246 RBIs over 249 appearances for the Bruins. She was a two-time All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024.

The 2025 AUSL Draft will be held Wednesday and air at 8 p.m. EST on the ESPN App and AUSL YouTube channel. Four teams will play a 30-game schedule in six to eight cities, including Wichita and Chicago, this summer.

The Bandits won the 2025 AUSL Draft lottery, earning the right to pick first. The Blaze, Talons and Volts own the next three respective selections. Each team will draft a dozen players and complete their rosters through free agency and through college signings.

Infielder Tiare Jennings, outfielder Amanda Lorenz and two-way star Rachel Garcia are among other softball stars committed to the league. Former softball stars Cat Osterman, Lisa Fernandez, Dana Sorenson and Jenny Dalton-Hill will serve as general managers of the AUSL teams.