Victoria Hayward, OLY

So Cal/PGF 👀

@AlexMorgan_07 @espn @theAUSLofficial YESSSSS!

@espn can you add @theAUSLofficial softball to your leagues so I can check scores easier please 🙏🏻 #professionalsoftball #softball

Sept 1 is approaching 👀 2028s looking to get a call from @Nevada_Softball …we’d love to see you on campus this summer!

@CoachCSalt You do the hard stuff to have the FUN!!!

Truth... At some point this isnt about "fun" Its about doing the things necessary to become the best version of myself, to give myself a chance at opportunities beyond HS if thats what you want. You have to decide how serious you are about this and thats not necessarily "fun"

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀. Same relentless pursuit of excellence. #BuiltBold

College coaches want to be wanted, just like you want to be wanted. They want players who genuinely want to be at their school.

We are on the lookout for future Packsters in Colorado this week 🏔️🐺🤘🏼 Drop your schedules ⬇️

GO PACK x 3 🐺 🐺 🐺

@LouisXXIV You are - but you can do that playing abroad in other leagues, running camps and clinics, coaching, and having 2 incomes.

@VictoriaHayward Gotcha, I also have the view your commitment to a league is more than just in-season, you’re training for it year round too, aren’t you? I did add color to this with how sports aren’t necessarily a corporate job or role.

If I (and everyone that paved the way for me) waited for what I believed was “a fair and equitable contract”….there wouldn’t be pro softball 🤷🏼‍♀️

@LouisXXIV Softball is in a MUCH better spot which is why athletes get to make 10-15x what I was making then, with full benefits…for a 3 month long commitment.

@VictoriaHayward So are you going to answer or?

@merpmerp00 I signed first. I helped start the league she’s negotiating her paycheck for…..I’d say that’s impact.

@LChamberlain44 I hope she joins the players association and the larger convo of how to continue moving the league forward!

I waited back in 2015. It sucked and was uncomfortable and I wanted to play softball but knew my rights and hoped it would push the needle forward a bit. I remember getting heat from older players and that part hurt the most. Need some more support in this area within our game

@yankeekk12 @syd_syd2 Well…every sport has rookie contracts. I’m of the opinion that you prove yourself then gain bargaining power and earn a big contract! & these convos are happening, the $ is moving every year…. Big time. There is a plan and a commitment like we’ve never had before!

@VictoriaHayward @syd_syd2 So at what point do we stop just excepting what they offer as a salary! No one is making more than I did 15 years ago. So in 15 years we are still at the same pay scale. Why is that? Because people like myself and trailblazers took the same attitude.

@drovers05 @meganbetsa13 That is so badass!!!! Now look at Durham now 🥹

@meganbetsa13 @VictoriaHayward I made 1900 in 1998 . Played for the Durham dragons on the inaugural season.

@Creshna1 Totally, ask! But is she willing to NOT play if her asks aren’t met?? And is that “trailblazing”?

@VictoriaHayward Respectfully, that’s YOUR choice and YOUR story. Look at what the WNBA was recently able to negotiate for themselves. You were a trailblazer during your time and now NiJa will be a trailblazer for not settling for less. You can’t knock someone for at least asking.

@LouisXXIV How much do you think athletes should get paid for a 25 game season, which as a P how many does she throw in??

@VictoriaHayward What about considering the perspectives that women’s sports as a whole wasn’t where it was today? Or the influx of capital and media rights they’ve entered into? Asking bc I feel like multiple women’s leagues have pushed the envelope - whether it was union or an individual

@merpmerp00 Hey, I built a league where she CAN stand for what she believes in. I chose to pioneer over a check and my legacy will live on longer than a couple bucks!

@hulse_angie @syd_syd2 They might! Only time will tell

@VictoriaHayward @syd_syd2 Wish AUSL would move on without her. It’s better with the ladies who just love competing & aren’t divas who think they are better than everyone else.

@IamTheMacrocosm @saragroe It could! It could also leave her with nowhere to play! I believe in having those conversations and also believe in showing up and doing your part because it’s bigger than one player. 3 games in….the season goes by fast!!

@VictoriaHayward @saragroe Couldn’t you argue that her waiting/demanding more will pave the way for others to be able to negotiate more pay in the future? Just because others made it possible doesn’t mean those who come after should just accept everything. Her challenging the status quo could help others.

@lesliednb6 @Lobo_Basketball No one is bigger than pro softball! She’s an incredible player and I’d love to see her thrive - become the pitcher of the year, win an AUSL championship and earn all the bonuses!!!

@Lobo_Basketball @VictoriaHayward She is bigger