• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Volleyball Is Having a Moment—and the Pro League Space Is Crowding

  • The Professional Volleyball Federation debuts in Omaha on Wednesday night.
  • Later this year, League One Volleyball will launch. And Athletes Unlimited has been around for three years.
The Columbus Dispatch

A new professional volleyball league launches on Wednesday night, capitalizing on the rampant growth of women’s sports in the U.S. But in this growing space, they’re hardly alone.

The Pro Volleyball Federation will hit the court with seven teams competing against each other in a four-month regular season, followed by a four-team playoff to crown the season’s champion. It shouldn’t be surprising that the PVF’s first match is taking place in Omaha—in nearby Lincoln, Nebraska’s women’s volleyball team set the attendance record for a women’s sports event with 90,003 fans at the Cornhuskers’ football stadium last August. The Omaha Supernovas will be playing at the 18,000-seat CHI Health Center, which is home to Creighton basketball and has hosted NCAA tournament matches in basketball and volleyball. 

Select PVF matches will be shown on CBS Sports Network, while others will be streamed by OTT platforms Stadium and Bally Live. Beyond those media rights deals, the values of which have not been disclosed, the PVF also has a partnership with USA Volleyball—the national governing body—and deals with staple volleyball brands like Franklin and Spalding. On the ownership front, the PVF has notable investors like Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and music star Jason Derulo.

Is Consolidation Needed?

The PVF won’t be the only new pro volleyball league launching this year. In November, League One Volleyball (LOVB) is set to debut, with franchises in at least six markets—two of which overlap with the PVF: Omaha and Atlanta. LOVB has raised $35 million from key investors like Kevin Durant, Candace Parker, and Ares Management Funds. Meanwhile, Athletes Unlimited Volleyball has been operating since 2021, albeit with a different model that sees players switch teams each week and matches played at a single location.

Volleyball is certainly hot right now, particularly on the college level. In December, the Texas-Nebraska NCAA women’s volleyball national championship averaged a record 1.69 million viewers on ABC. And there’s clearly an appetite among sports power brokers to take advantage of the pro level, as seen by the various new leagues. But if the offerings are oversaturating the market, organizers may ultimately need to consider joining forces, much like the merger in women’s hockey last summer that led to a so-far-successful launch of the PWHL.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.

Warriors $75M Pitch Fails to Sway Kuminga As Season Looms

Kuminga and his representatives want a long-term deal.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.

Tush Push Debate Heats Up in Eagles Win, Ex-NFL Rules Chief Sounds..

The Eagles are continuing to run the quarterback-sneak play.
September 14, 2025

Crawford-Alvarez Bout Draws Biggest Crowd in Vegas Boxing History

Record attendance, a big gate, and growing ambitions mark the high-profile bout.
September 14, 2025

Most NFL Home Teams Opt to Honor Charlie Kirk Before Games

Several NFL teams playing at home on Sunday recognized the late activist. Some did not.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 14, 2025

Low-Payroll Brewers Buck the Math, Clinch First MLB Playoff Berth

Milwaukee continues to defy its market size and economic constraints.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
Sep 11, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun (13) in the second half at Target Center.
September 12, 2025

As WNBA Grows, Engelbert Says Its Playoff Field Won’t for a While

Eight of thirteen WNBA teams made the playoffs this year.
September 12, 2025

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarreal is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.