The Rise of Pro Volleyball: LOVB Debuts, PVF Returns
Two new(ish) leagues are serving their way to your screens, tapping into a booming market opportunity that has fans and investors clamoring for a piece of the action.
It’s a big week for professional volleyball! League One Volleyball (LOVB) Pro kicked off its first season last night and Professional Volleyball Federation’s (PVF) highly-anticipated second season gets rolling tonight.
With youth volleyball participation continuing to soar, the emergence of multiple professional leagues offers a clear pathway for young girls dreaming of competing at the elite level and further opportunities to those already competing at a high level.1
Here’s what you need to know:
LOVB: A New Era in Volleyball Begins
LOVB (pronounced “love”) is more than just a professional volleyball league; it’s a “holistic volleyball ecosystem” encompassing club teams, pro leagues, and coaching development.2 Founded in 2019, its club division has grown impressively. According to their website, LOVB now supports 58 clubs across 66 locations, with 1,500+ teams and 17,300+ players. Funny enough, one of those clubs used to be my volleyball club’s rival. Many intense matches were played, though that was before LOVB existed!
Now, LOVB Pro is closing the loop on this ecosystem. The inaugural season spans 14 weeks, featuring 60 matches between six teams: Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Madison, Omaha, and Salt Lake City. To keep things exciting, the league will host a winner-takes-all in-season tournament over President’s Day Weekend. Cities were chosen based on 29 criteria, including demographics, infrastructure, and volleyball fandom.
Last night’s historic inaugural match saw Salt Lake defeat Atlanta three sets to one. Each set was tightly contested, with scores of 25-22, 27-25, 25-21, and 25-21. Tonight, Austin and Houston take the court for the first time, and Week 1 wraps up Friday with matchups featuring Madison vs. Austin and Omaha vs. Houston.
The talent in LOVB Pro is world-class: 40% of the 91 players on rosters have Olympic experience. Remarkably, 70% of Team USA Volleyball’s squad from this past summer in Paris is represented in the league. Rising star Jess Mruzik, fresh off Penn State’s National Championship, is aiming to bring Houston its first LOVB trophy. For volleyball enthusiasts and casual sports fans alike, LOVB promises thrilling competition and top-tier entertainment.
Backing LOVB’s ambitious vision are major investors like Ares Management, celebrities such as Jayson Tatum, Amy Schumer, and Candace Parker, and renowned venture capital firms including Elysian Park Ventures, Thirty Five Ventures (Kevin Durant), and Billie Jean King Enterprises. This diverse and powerful roster of backers underscores the growing interest in women’s sports as a hot investment sector. It’s clear that the momentum behind women’s sports is stronger than ever, driven by consumer demand and untapped opportunities, signaling significant growth potential and impact.
PVF: Serving Up Season 2
PVF’s second season begins tonight with the San Diego Mojo hosting the Orlando Valkyries. The league, which debuted last year, features eight teams: Atlanta Vibe, Columbus Fury, Grand Rapids Rise, Indy Ignite, Omaha Supernovas, Orlando Valkyries, San Diego Mojo, and Vegas Thrill. While there’s some overlap in host cities with LOVB (Atlanta and Omaha), PVF’s broader geographic reach sets it apart. The addition of the Indy Ignite in the offseason solidifies PVF’s stronghold in the Midwest, a region renowned for producing top volleyball talent.
Expansion plans are underway, with Dallas and Kansas City on the way, likely for the 2026 season. This growth reflects strong public interest and investor confidence in professional volleyball’s future.
Talent-wise, PVF boasts 148 players across its teams, including Louisville standout Charitie Luper and nearly 40 former Big Ten players. The mix of collegiate stars and seasoned professionals ensures a high volleyball IQ and competitive edge on the court. Fans can expect fast-paced, skillful matches as PVF continues to grow its footprint in the volleyball world.
How Can We Support?
For volleyball fans, the emergence of LOVB Pro and the growth of PVF signal an exciting era. Whether you’re a longtime player, a casual beach volleyball fan, or simply someone who loves great sports stories, now is the time to tune in and support the rise of professional volleyball.
Of course, one of the best ways to support these emerging leagues is through streaming the matches. Here are the details for each league:
LOVB:
TV Channels: ESPN (28 matches)
Live Streams: LOVB Live, Women’s Sports Network (WSN) (16 matches)
PVF:
T*-V Channels: CBS Sports Network, FS1, FS2
Live Streams: Fubo, YouTube
In addition to watching matches, you can follow clubs or leagues on social media and interact with their posts through liking, commenting, or sharing. Each of these methods of engagement continue signaling that there is widespread demand for these types of products and helps the women’s sports ecosystem grow even more. Don’t miss the action! Stream, share, and show your support for these incredible leagues.
Are you curious about a specific topic? Please let me know, and I’ll check it out! We’re all learning together.
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