Volleyball

Business developments for LOVB clubs in Texas underscores opportunities in state

Yesterday, League One Volleyball (LOVB) shared a flurry of announcements about new ownership and sponsors getting more involved with its current team in Austin and its forthcoming franchise in Houston.

November 07, 2025

Pro Volleyball Federation announces historic merger with Major League Volleyball

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According to reports, the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) is merging with Major League Volleyball (MLV), a separate professional women’s volleyball league that planned to launch in 2026. Through the merger, the combined leagues will rebrand as MLV, but will consider its forthcoming season as PVF’s third consecutive season.

August 06, 2025

Athletes Unlimited revamps volleyball offering with plans to play in sport’s biggest hubs

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Yesterday, Athletes Unlimited (AU) Pro Volleyball revamped its volleyball championship with an exclusive, invite-only tournament featuring 44 of the world’s top players. For the first time ever, AU is splitting up its season across two cities known for their love of the game: Omaha, Nebraska and Madison, Wisconsin.

May 02, 2025

Media brand Rebel Girls establishes partnerships with LOVB, AUSL

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Yesterday, Rebel Girls (RG) — a digital media company created to inspire Gen Alpha girls — announced two major partnerships with emerging pro women’s sports leagues: League One Volleyball (LOVB) and Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL).

December 11, 2024

LOVB announces $100M in new funding from venture capital and investment firms

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Yesterday, LOVB (pronounced LOVE) announced $100M in funding led by Atwater Capital, along with existing supporters Ares Management and Left Lane Capital, bringing its total of funds raised to $160M. The GIST spoke with LOVB CEO Katlyn Gao yesterday about what this means for the volleyball brand at every level of the game.

November 22, 2024

PVF announces broadcast coverage expansion with media partner CBS

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The Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) is gearing up for its second year ahead of next week’s draft. In an exclusive with The GIST today, PVF announced an extension of its media rights agreement with CBS through a multiyear deal that includes increased match coverage and cable air time — a historic first for women’s pro volleyball.

November 20, 2024

Gen Z, Millennial designer brand platform Revolve partners with LOVB

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Yesterday, leading volleyball brand LOVB Pro announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Revolve, the designer clothing platform beloved by Gen Z and Millennial shoppers. The deal makes Revolve the league’s official online fashion retail partner and highlights innovative ways the clothing industry can appeal to young consumers via sport.

November 13, 2024

AU Volleyball preps for fourth season as the sport takes hold at the U.S. pro level

Sports Business

AU Volleyball preps for fourth season as the sport takes hold at the U.S. pro level

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September 30, 2024

Athletes Unlimited (AU) is getting ready to serve up its fourth season of AU Volleyball, the month-long pro league that’s changed the game for the world’s top women volleyball players. While the sport is already highly popular in other countries, new U.S. pro leagues can offer American exposure through media, marketing, and sponsorship.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #509

Is the NWSL going to lose Trinity Rodman?

November 18, 2025

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Is the NWSL going to lose Trinity Rodman?

The 2025 NWSL Championship is almost here.

Saturday’s match will pit the No. 8 seed Gotham FC against No. 2 Washington Spirit, aka, the only club team Trinity Rodman has ever played for. The Spirit took a major chance on Rodman in 2022, signing her to a four-year, $1.1M contract and making her the then–highest-paid player in the league. But the women’s soccer landscape has changed dramatically since then — and Rodman may be setting her sights overseas.

On today’s episode of The GIST of It, co-hosts Lauren Tuiskula and Steph Rotz explain who’s courting Rodman and how the NWSL’s salary cap is playing a major part in why American talent is heading to England’s Women’s Super League. The footy stops here.

Thanks to Fan Duel for supporting today’s podcast. From the rink to the court to the pitch, FanDuel is the home for women’s sports betting in Ontario. Download the FanDuel app or click here to get started.