Sunday December 3, 2023

Billie Jean King, Kevin Durant Back Pro Volleyball League

  • LOVB will continue creating pro teams across the country by enlisting junior players.
  • Women’s volleyball continues to grow in popularity at all levels.
Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

A new professional women’s volleyball league has scored $16.75 million in a Series A funding round led by a star-studded group of investors.

League One Volleyball, first founded in 2020, secured funding from Billie Jean King, Kevin Durant, Chelsea Handler, and David Blitzer, among others. 

  • Investors have roots in six major sports leagues, from the NFL to the English Premier League.
  • More than half of the investors are women.

With the freshly minted capital, LOVB will continue creating professional teams across the country by enlisting junior players. The league will begin play this year, according to its website.

“LOVB is propelling U.S. volleyball to new heights, creating an exceptional volleyball community, a better future for athletes, and an expanded love of the game at all ages,” the league said in a statement.

Right Sport, Right Time

It’s no surprise that a professional volleyball initiative has caught investor attention, as women’s volleyball continues to grow in popularity at all levels. 

Girls’ participation in volleyball ranked second only to track and field in popularity in 2021-22 and the only top-10 sport that saw growth, according to the National Federation of High School Sports. At the college level, attendance, coverage, and viewership increase with each passing season. 

There’s even significant interest at the pro level, as Athletes Unlimited launched a popular league. Athletes Unlimited CEO Jon Patricof previously told Front Office Sports that pro women’s indoor volleyball was “probably the largest untapped opportunity in pro sports in this country.”

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NWSL's Record Deal Caps Banner Season, Paves Way To More Hopeful Future

The 2023 campaign saw gains in attendance, TV, and franchise expansion.
Billie Jean King fields questions at a press conference.

Billie Jean King Is Still Hitting Equal Pay Milestones

Billie Jean King's impact resonates 50 years after she demanded equal pay.
LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Womens Basketball Final Four National Championship at American Airlines Center.

Who Is The Highest-Paid Women’s College Basketball Coach?

LSU rewarded Kim Mulkey after winning a national title after her second year leading the program.
Andraya Carter will become the first woman with a permanent role on ESPN's basketball 'College GameDay.'
exclusive

Andraya Carter Set for Historic Role On ESPN’s Basketball ‘College GameDay’

Carter is the first woman with a permanent role on the show.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Looking to Super Bowl for Media Rights Plan

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

In Light of More Player Defection Talk PGA Tour Touts Optimism In Memo

Players on policy board look to convey sense of calm, optimism.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic looks to move the ball past Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center.
December 1, 2023

The NBA Has Autumn Relevance Thanks To In-Season Tournament

The league set a new attendance record in the month of November.
December 3, 2023

MLB Clubs Brace for Record Player Spending As Winter Meetings Kick Off

Expected record-level contract for Ohtani set to highlight offseason activity.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
A Bundesliga camera operator during a match
November 30, 2023

DFL Will See At Least Three Bids For $1B Bundesliga Media Stake

Investment plan to keep up with European rivals takes key step forward.
November 30, 2023

Pittsburgh Seeks the Spoils of NFL Draft Traveling Road Show

NFL team looks to host key league event on Pittsburgh's North Shore.
November 30, 2023

PGA Tour Expects To Add Another Investor To Pair With Saudi PIF

The PGA Tour is still working toward the Dec. 31 deadline.
November 29, 2023

PGA Tour's $100M Incentive Program May Be On Thin Ice

Jordan Spieth says the Player Impact Program isn't needed.