NiJaree Canady delayed signing her professional playing contract with the Athletes Unlimited Softball League for a fair and equitable deal. Her decision to wait out the contract has drawn heavy backlash from the fans, who called her ‘overhyped’ online.
Canady was last seen in action on the field during the Women’s College World Series. She played a significant role in the semifinal round, where her team dominated over the top-seeded Alabama to advance to the finals. On June 4, 2026, she and her team competed in the finals against the Texas Longhorns, where the star pitcher struggled with velocity drops and heavy fatigues, resulting in her loss in Game 2.
Initially in the match, she held her opponents scoreless through the first four innings, keeping the Red Raiders ahead 1-0. However, the physical health took a toll on her. Following this series, she graduated from Texas Tech, marking the end of her collegiate career. Canady has already transitioned to the professional circuit and has been selected by the Texas Volts in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League draft.
However, she is currently in a contract holdout with the Volts, as her team is looking for a fair and equitable decision in her first professional contract. The player’s agent recently shared a lengthy message on X, explaining the decision behind delaying her professional contract.
“NiJa loves this game too much to let this moment pass without honoring what it’s asking of her, and her ability to positively impact generations of women athletes to come. NiJa is looking forward to joining her team and competing as soon as we can finalize a fair and equitable contract.”
Here is the full message:
This garnered the attention of the fans who took a jab at the 22-year-old, stating that she was overpaid by her previous team.
“Texas Tech overpaid and ESPN overhyped. She’s a great pitcher and probably a nice person but she’s a rookie in a brand new league. Her agent shoving down our throats this claim how she will be the 1 to take women’s softball to the next level is just making her unlikable.”
Another follower called her ‘overhyped,’ writing:
“I’m starting to think she’s over hyped. As good as many but she peaked during her 1st year at Stanford. Against top competition she’s been regularly knocked around. She’s a liability at the plate, only hitting .200. AUSL already has plenty of WCWS champions in the circle.”
Analyzing the reason behind her decision, one of the users on X tweeted:
“Lemme guess she made more in college than she would as a pro. Softball doesn’t have that kind of support to prop itself up financially. Her demands are probably more than AUSL budget. If she waits too long she might find herself in the cold.”
Along the similar lines, another fan chimed in:
“I’m sorry but losing the national championship twice in a row shouldn’t give you that much power to be asking for all this.. come on girl. grow the game not rob it.”
NiJaree Canady receives appreciation from Texas Tech coach Gerry Glasco
In a recent press conference, the Texas Tech Red Raiders coach, Gerry Glasco, weighed in on NiJaree Canady’s form, highlighting her legacy on the sport. Talking about her impact on kids and all her good qualities outside of the field, he said:
“I think Nija has become the face of softball, not just college softball, but softball. That’s how big an impact, and you have to travel with her and see the little kids coming from 5 states away, like kids coming from Ohio, not, you know, these weird places like they’re from all over, and they, they love Nija Canady, and not just girls, little boys, little boys,” said Nijaree Canady’s former coach.
He added:
“It’s amazing what she’s done. It’s not just because she’s a great softball player, it’s because she has an amazing heart and amazing concern for others that you see every time she does an interview or every time she does a public appearance or when she’s signing autographs. You know, her, her legacy is enormous.”
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