Over the last three years, the National Pro Fastpitch softball league "has grown from four to six teams, locked up its most successful television deal to date and demonstrated attendance increases," according to Kayla Lombardo of EXCELLE SPORTS. League Commissioner Cheri Kempf "largely credits the recent growth and increased popularity of the league to the conversation that has been ever-present within American society lately surrounding women and women professional athletes." She said, "There’s no question that the feeling of momentum is more apparent than it has ever been.” Lombardo noted the the league now "has stabilized" after previously struggling to "maintain longevity with its franchises." And with the "trend of expansion existing in the NPF, as well as softball’s recent re-admission" into the Olympic program for the '20 Tokyo Games, the sport beyond the college game "appears to be on the precipice of reaching new heights." Lombardo noted while Kempf did not confirm whether or not another franchise would be added to the league in '17, its 14th season, she "did indicate that interest for expansion certainly exists for next season." While the league has not yet counted its total attendance for '16, the NPF "boasted a 25-game television package with CBS Sports Network this summer," in conjunction with the "release of its new digital-streaming platform NPF TV." But no matter "how impressive the attendance and television numbers prove to be" for the '16 season, Kempf "staunchly believes the league can only go as far as its corporate backing allows." Lombardo: "And right now, that backing is missing." Kempf said, "The awareness has increased and that needle has pushed up, but the response from corporate America, we have not felt that yet" (EXCELLESPORTS.com, 8/29).
