Mo’ne Davis Emerges as a Leader in the Launch of Women’s Professional Baseball.
From Little League sensation to Columbia graduate, Mo’ne Davis now joins the Los Angeles Queens, marking a groundbreaking milestone in the business of women’s sports.
Eleven years after capturing national attention at the Little League World Series, Mo’ne Davis is back in professional athletics—this time as a central figure in a groundbreaking sports business venture.
At 24, Davis was selected 10th overall by the Los Angeles Queens in the inaugural Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) draft, joining the only active professional women’s baseball organization in the United States. She made history on Aug. 1, scoring the first run in WPBL history and helping lead the Queens to a dramatic 10–8 victory over the New York Heights in the league’s inaugural game.
For Davis, who earned degrees from Hampton University and Columbia University, her return to baseball represents a deliberate career move. Little League World Series archives note that she rose to national prominence in 2014 as the first girl to pitch a shutout in tournament history, showcasing a 70-mph fastball for Philadelphia.
She later played two seasons of college softball at Hampton, where she recorded a .225 batting average, before stepping away from the spotlight for several years. Now, Davis is embracing a new challenge through the WPBL draft—returning to the sport on her own terms and positioning herself for the next chapter of her career.
“I just wanted to give it a shot,” Davis said from the warning track at Robin Roberts Stadium in Springfield, Illinois. For Davis, the decision reflects her broader approach to life: embracing opportunities rather than wondering what might have been. “I don’t like to go through life regretting anything. I want to make sure I can look back and be like, ‘Hey, I tried it out.’”
Davis is reshaping her athletic identity by stepping away from pitching and instead concentrating on her skills as a position player and hitter. Her decision reflects a desire to define her career on her own terms rather than remain tied to the role that first made her famous.
“No matter how many times anyone asks, the answer is gonna stay the same: I’m not pitching,” Davis stated. “I am doing what I want to do. I’m not doing what everyone else wants me to do.” For Davis, the shift is ultimately about enjoying the game, embracing the opportunity, and showing others that she intends to play with freedom and have fun.
Building a Sustainable Business in Women’s Sports
The WPBL marks a major commercial step forward for women’s baseball, with a focus on building a financially sustainable league while creating opportunities for long-term operational growth. Co-founded by Justine Siegal, the first woman to coach in Major League Baseball, the four-team league features the Los Angeles Queens, Boston Hunters, New York Heights, and San Francisco Firebells, with all teams competing in Illinois. In a distinctive move within professional sports, each franchise name pays tribute to the legacy of a pioneering woman.
To reinforce the league’s business credibility and leadership structure, the WPBL appointed three-time World Series champion and former MLB general manager Dave Stewart as an official advisor. Its managerial lineup also combines established MLB experience with women’s baseball leadership, featuring former MLB players Eric Young with Los Angeles, Matt Williams with San Francisco, and Keith Foulke with Boston, alongside women’s baseball pioneer Rachelle “Rocky” Henley managing New York.
“We are thrilled to assemble a world-class group of leaders who can elevate the game and inspire the next generation of ballplayers,” Siegal said in an official league press release.
Negro League Roots and Brand Equity
Davis’s personal brand bridges baseball’s historic legacy with the evolving business of women’s sports. Earlier this year, she signed with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Banana Ball League, according to team releases. The franchise pays tribute to the historic Negro League team that rose to prominence as a barnstorming club in the 1940s and featured Toni Stone, the first woman to play professional baseball alongside men.
During her time with the club, Davis sharpened both her on-field abilities and understanding of the sports business, with guidance from former MLB center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. The experience added another dimension to her growing profile as an athlete and emerging sports-business figure.
Her presence also brings immediate marketing value to the WPBL. Davis’s visibility dates back to her teenage years, when her Little League success helped land her on the cover of Sports Illustrated and on Wheaties cereal boxes. That longstanding recognition gives the league a built-in connection to a broader audience, while her teammates view her profile as a potential economic asset for the emerging organization.
“The exposure she’s gotten gives all of us greater visibility as well,” Queens outfielder Brittany Apagar said, highlighting how Davis’s high-profile presence can contribute to broader team visibility and collective brand value.
For Davis, however, the focus remains on staying grounded and committed to her teammates.
“I try to protect my peace,” Davis said. “I don’t want my teammates to look at me any differently. I want them to know I’m here to win games with you guys, and I’m here for the team.”
