A new professional sport is on the rise: volleyball.
Viewership of the sport has been growing rapidly in the United States, raising an issue in the US volleyball community. Although professional volleyball exists in other countries, there has never been a league based in the United States. If players wanted to advance to the next level after college, they had to move internationally and start a new life.
That was until the Pro Volleyball Federation was made. Beginning in 2024, the PVF introduced eight teams nationwide in major cities, growing the sport immensely. One of those teams is the Atlanta Vibe, currently ranked fourth with a record of 6-5. The Vibe and the seven other teams play against each other in exhilarating weekly matches.
According to Pro Volleyball, “PVF sets the standard for the sport…It combines top-tier talent, including NCAA stars and international athletes, with cutting-edge production and technology to provide fans with an unmatched viewing experience.”
However, with the PVF on the rise, new leagues also entered the scene. League One Volleyball, or LOVB, entered US professional volleyball this year. Unlike the PVF, LOVB focuses on developing players from club volleyball through college into professional volleyball.
LOVB focuses on “nurturing youthful passion into action, celebrating fierce and unbridled professional talent, and developing coaches to lead future generations”.
LOVB also has a team in Atlanta, drawing more people to the city to watch the best-of-the-best compete. With two teams in Atlanta along with other overlapping teams, this sparks the debate: how can two professional volleyball leagues coexist long-term in the US?
In response, USA Volleyball stepped in and plans to launch its league, Major League Volleyball (MLV), in 2026. This idea came from the owners, partners and colleagues of the Omaha Supernovas, a team in the Pro Volleyball Federation. They are seeking to combine professional volleyball into one league.
“Multiple competing leagues are not ideal long term for the sport. We’ve seen what is possible with the [success of the] Omaha Supernovas. We want to replicate and elevate that for all future franchises,” MLV explains on their Instagram page.
Viewership of the sport continues to grow rapidly in the United States, and the future of the sport as a profession is bright. With new leagues, teams and cities getting involved, professional volleyball will be an exciting sport to follow.
