Volleyball

Pro Volleyball Federation announces historic merger with Major League Volleyball

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

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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.

September 30, 2024

Sports Business

LOVB employs 75% of USA Volleyball roster for Paris 2024 Olympics

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June 07, 2024

The U.S.’ Olympic women’s volleyball roster just dropped, and there’s a lot of love for League One Volleyball (LOVB). Nine of the 12 starters and two alternates on Team USA have already signed deals with LOVB Pro, an impressive feat considering the new pro volleyball league won’t begin play until November, well after the Games.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #492

Unrivaled is growing — and still putting players first

September 11, 2025

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Unrivaled is growing — and still putting players first

Women’s hoops is where it’s at.

Yes, the WNBA regular season ends today, but this episode of The GIST of It is all about the offseason plans for the best hoopers in the game. Unrivaled, the 3v3 league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, will be bigger and better than ever for its second season, boasting new investments and even more teams. And we’re digging into all of it, including how the league continues to lean into its player-first ethos. Buckets, indeed.

Thanks to Fan Duel for their support of this podcast. We partnered with FanDuel to bring back our free-to-play Women's Pro Basketball Bracket Challenge. Visit thegistsports.com to register and make your picks.