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Pro Volleyball Federation

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For the league that played in 1987–1989, see Major League Volleyball (1987).

Major League Volleyball
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2025 PVF season
A simple depiction of a volleyball, with the letters "mlv" in lowercase printed above it.
SportVolleyball
First season2024
CommissionerJen Spicher
No. of teams8
CountryUnited States
Most recent
champion(s)		Orlando Valkyries
(2025)
Broadcaster(s)CBS Sports Network
FS1 / FS2
Streaming partner(s)VBTV
YouTube
Official websiteprovolleyball.com

Major League Volleyball (MLV), formerly the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), is a women's professional indoor volleyball league in the United States. The league was announced on November 17, 2022, and began play in 2024.[1]

History

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Foundation and first season (2022–2024)

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Original logo of the Pro Volleyball Federation (2022–2025).

The Pro Volleyball Federation was founded in late 2022 by an ownership group that included volleyball pioneers Cecile Reynaud and Laurie Corbelli, and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer,[2] with the goal of giving American players access to high level volleyball at home while also making a livable wage.[3] The PVF was initially expected to launch with ten franchises, but would later be revised to eight. The Grand Rapids Rise were the league's first franchise,[4] followed by the Omaha Supernovas, Atlanta Vibe, and Columbus Fury.[5][6][7] Former United States national team players, overseas players, and recent college graduates were among the first to be drafted into the league.[8]

The league's inaugural 2024 season was dominated by the success of the Omaha Supernovas, who earned the highest average attendance for a professional volleyball team in the world,[9] broke the United States attendance record for a volleyball game thrice,[10] and won the PVF Championship in straight sets against the Rise.[11][12] Off the court, the PVF came into conflict with the Supernovas over their attempted acquisition of another franchise, the Vegas Thrill, in August 2023; which was blocked by the league.[13] By December, an attempt at a hostile takeover of the PVF itself by the Supernovas' owners was alleged to have started,[14] inspiring PVF co-founders Dan Whinham and Stephen Evans to "resist" the takeover by selling $1 million in shares of the league to a competing PVF franchise owner, the Rise's Dan DeVos, in February 2024.[14][15]

Secession, reunion, and expansion (2025–2026)

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Amid the escalating dispute, Supernovas co-owners Jason Derulo and Danny White, along with Benjamin Priest, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, and three-time Olympic beach volleyball champion Kerri Walsh Jennings, organized plans for a competing league with the Supernovas as a charter member, raising $100 million from investors.[16][17] The group announced both the Supernovas' exit from the PVF and the establishment of Major League Volleyball (MLV), just days into the 2025 season.[18][19] Ranadivé would have become the owner of a MLV franchise based in Sacramento, California.[16][17] The new league hoped to commence play with a minimum of ten independently owned franchises that would've "[adhered] to MLV's standards and operational playbooks".[20] The states of California, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin were considered as potential locations for the franchises.[21][22]

As the Supernovas played out what they intended to be their final season in the PVF,[19] the Indy Ignite made its debut as the league's first expansion team,[23] managing to reach the PVF Championship, where they lost to the Orlando Valkyries.[24] At the conclusion of the season, Dallas Pro Volleyball was unveiled as the league's second expansion franchise.[25] In August 2025, the PVF and MLV struck a deal to merge the two leagues under the Major League Volleyball banner. As part of the deal, the Supernovas returned to the league, and the planned MLV Sacramento team were admitted as an expansion franchise alongside a new franchise based in Washington, D.C.[26][27]

Format

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The league's schedule runs from January through May.[8] Each team aims to be one of the top four to have the chance to play in the championship game. In the final game, "Match for a Million", the winning team will be awarded $1 million.[28][24] Prior to the season, a draft is held each November for graduating college players.[29] Five players are selected for each team. In 2024, there were 40 athletes distributed among the eight teams.[30][31]

Organization

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Major League Volleyball is owned by MLV Holdings, an investment company consisting of Jason Derulo, Benjamin Priest, Vivek Ranadivé, Kerri Walsh Jennings, and Danny White.[16][17][21] Walsh Jennings and Mitch Grossbach are responsible for the league's franchise development and partnerships through Grossbach's Something Great Management, while its marketing is handled by advertising agencies Hurrdat Media and Talisman Marketing.[18][20]

Teams

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Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
900km
559miles
8
8 Vegas Thrill
8 Vegas Thrill
7
7 San Diego Mojo
7 San Diego Mojo
6
6 Orlando Valkyries
6 Orlando Valkyries
5
5 Omaha Supernovas
5 Omaha Supernovas
4
4 Indy Ignite
4 Indy Ignite
3
3 Grand Rapids Rise
3 Grand Rapids Rise
2
2 Columbus Fury
2 Columbus Fury
1
1 Atlanta Vibe
1 Atlanta Vibe

Each team is independently owned and operates in partnership with the league's centralized structure. Arena locations, coaching staff, and player rosters vary by team, with some franchise drawing national attention due to high-profile ownership or coaching hires.

Current

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Overview of Pro Volleyball Federation teams
Team Location Venue Capacity Joined
Atlanta Vibe Duluth, Georgia Gas South Arena 12,750 2024
Columbus Fury Columbus, Ohio Nationwide Arena 19,500 2024
Grand Rapids Rise Grand Rapids, Michigan Van Andel Arena 11,500 2024
Indy Ignite Fishers, Indiana Fishers Event Center 6,500 2025
Omaha Supernovas Omaha, Nebraska CHI Health Center Omaha 18,320 2024
Orlando Valkyries Orlando, Florida Addition Financial Arena 9,432 2024
San Diego Mojo San Diego, California Viejas Arena 12,414 2024
Vegas Thrill Henderson, Nevada Lee's Family Forum 6,019 2024

Future

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Overview of planned Pro Volleyball Federation teams
Team Location Venue Capacity Joining
Dallas Pro Volleyball Dallas, Texas TBD TBD 2026
Kansas City Pro Volleyball Kansas City, Missouri TBD TBD 2026
MLV Sacramento Sacramento, California TBD TBD 2027
MLV Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. TBD TBD 2027

Playoffs

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The 2025 Pro Volleyball Federation Playoffs were the second annual postseason tournament of the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF). The playoffs featured four teams and took place from May 9 to May 11, 2025, at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, Nevada. The Orlando Valkyries defeated the Indy Ignite in the championship match to claim their first league title.

Qualified teams

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Seed Team Record Clinched
1 Omaha Supernovas 19-5 No. 1 Seed
2 Atlanta Vibe 17-7 Home court advantage
3 Orlando Valkyries 15-9 Championship winner
4 Indy Ignite 13-11 Finals appearance

Match summaries

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Semifinals-May 9, 2025

(4) Indy Ignite def. (1) Omaha Supernovas, 3-2

Set scores: 25-23, 20-25, 22-25, 26-24, 15-12

Indy ignite stunned the league-leading Supernovas with a gritty five-set upset. [Key player] led Indy with 18 kills and 5 digs in a dramatic finish.

(3) Orlando Valkyries def. (2) Atlanta Vibe, 3-1

Set Scores: 25-18, 25-23, 18-25, 25-16

Orlando advanced to the finals behind a dominant performance by [Key player], who contributed 21 kills and 4 blocks. The Valkyries took advantage of Atlanta's passing errors and forced early momentum.

Championships

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The Omaha Supernovas and Orlando Valkyries have the most championships, with 1 PVF Finals win each.

Overview of PVF champions
Teams Win Loss Total Year(s) won Year(s) runner-up
Omaha Supernovas 1 0 1 2024 —
Orlando Valkyries 1 0 1 2025 —
Grand Rapids Rise 0 1 1 2024 —
Indy Ignite 0 1 1 2025 —

Broadcasting

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Since 2024, CBS Sports is the primary broadcaster for the Pro Volleyball Federation.[32] Matches primarily air on CBS Sports Network but CBS Sports has the option to air matches on the CBS broadcast network.[33] For the 2025 season, the agreement was extended and expanded. CBS Sports Network will now air up to 20 matches, up from 10, and the CBS broadcast network will air at least one match per season.[34]

Beginning 2025, Fox Sports became a broadcast partner. Four matches will air on FS1, while nine will air on FS2.[35] The Roku Channel and VBTV also joined as streaming partners for the league.[36][37]

Salary

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For 2025, the players' salary can range between $60,000 to $175,000, including benefits.[38] Each of the players on the final roster will start out at $60,000. For the top players who play significantly for the team, they can earn up to $175,000, depending on how much they play.[38] The league also gives individual awards to players that can range from $3,000 and $15,000.[38]

Awards

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2024

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Season awards[39]
Name Team Award
Leah Edmond Atlanta Vibe Outside Hitter of the Year
Kaz Brown Orlando Valkyries Middle Blocker of the Year
Nootsara Tomkom San Diego Mojo Setter of the Year
Morgan Hentz Atlanta Vibe Libero of the Year
Emiliya Dimitrova Grand Rapids Rise Opposite Hitter of the Year
Bethania De La Cruz Omaha Supernovas Server of the Year
Alisha Glass Childress Vegas Thrill Most Inspirational Player
Reagan Cooper Columbus Fury Rising Star

All-League teams

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First team
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Source:[39]

Leah Edmond, Atlanta Vibe

Morgan Hertz, Atlanta Vibe

Anna Lazareva, Atlanta Vibe

Claire Chaussee, Grand Rapids Rise

Emiliya Dimitrova, Grand Rapids Rise

Bethania De La Cruz, Omaha Supernovas

Brooke Nuneviller, Omaha Supernovas

Second team
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Source:[39]

Marlie Monserez, Atlanta Vibe

Reagan Cooper, Columbus Fury

Hristina Vuchkova, Omaha Supernovas

Vuchkova Brown, Orlando Valkyries

Kaz Stone, San Diego Mojo

Ronika Tomkom, San Diego Mojo

Alisha Glass Childress, Vegas Thrill

2025

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Season awards[40][41]
Name Team Award
Brooke Nuneviller Omaha Supernovas Outside Hitter of the Year
Ali Bastianelli Grand Rapids Rise Middle Blocker of the Year
Sydney Hilley Indy Ignite Setter of the Year
Morgan Hentz Atlanta Vibe Libero of the Year
Brittany Abercrombie Orlando Valkyries Opposite Hitter of the Year
Shara Venegas San Diego Mojo Most Inspirational Player
Khori Louis Atlanta Vibe Rising Star

All-League teams

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First team
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Source:[42]

Leah Edmond, Atlanta Vibe

Morgan Hertz, Atlanta Vibe

Sydney Hilley, Indy Ignite

Azhani Tealer, Indy Ignite

Brooke Nuneviller, Omaha Supernovas

Brittany Abercrombie, Orlando Valkyries

Chomp Guedpard, Orlando Valkyries

Second team
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Source:[42]

Khori Louis, Atlanta Vibe

Marlie Monserez, Atlanta Vibe

Ali Bastianelli, Grand Rapids Rise

Carli Snyder, Grand Rapids Rise

Natalia Valentin-Anderson, Omaha Supernovas

Kaz Brown, Orlando Valkyries

Ronika Stone, San Diego Mojo

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Pro Volleyball Federation to launch inaugural U.S. women's season in 2024". volleyballmag.com. November 17, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Pro Volleyball Federation Provides New Horizon For Volleyball Players". prnewswire.com. November 17, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  3. ^ "Pro Volleyball Federation embarks on 'converting the unconverted'". sportsbusinessjournal.com. November 17, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "Grand Rapids Announced As First Pro Volleyball Federation Team Market". Pro Volleyball Federation. December 5, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  5. ^ "Report: Joe Burrow, Jason Derulo Invest In Professional Volleyball League". si.com. February 16, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "Atlanta follows Omaha as 3rd city to join new pro volleyball league". 3newsnow.com. February 17, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "Pro Volleyball Federation team coming to Columbus, adding to city's pro sports roster". bizjournals.com. February 23, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "LOVB, PVF Pro Women's Leagues Begin 2025 Seasons". USA Volleyball. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  9. ^ Parsons, McKenzy (June 4, 2024). "Omaha Supernovas have highest average of fans at games across professional volleyball teams in the world". KETV 7. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "Supernovas set professional volleyball U.S. attendance record for third time". KSNB Local4. March 18, 2024. Archived from the original on May 21, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  11. ^ Boyles, Grace (May 18, 2024). "CHAMPIONS: Supernovas sweep the Rise to win first-ever Pro Volleyball Federation title". First Alert 6. Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  12. ^ Tyler, Kuehl (May 18, 2024). "Rise lose PVF Championship Match to Omaha in straight sets". MLive. Archived from the original on January 12, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  13. ^ Sanchez, Mark (September 19, 2024). "Pro volleyball league founders sue DeVos-backed company amid takeover bid". Crain's Grand Rapids Business. Archived from the original on September 19, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2025. Around August 2023 [...] a group that owned the Omaha franchise tried to buy the Las Vegas team, which violated league policy.
  14. ^ a b Sanchez 2024, "By December 2023 [...] the White Group was in the process of executing a leveraged corporate takeover of PVF. [Whinham and Evans] believed that such a development would be bad for PVF and its fledgling league, (they) tried to resist Mr. White’s takeover."
  15. ^ Sanchez 2024, "[...] the founders of the Pro Volleyball Federation inked a $1 million deal on Feb. 12 to sell to DeVos' PVF Ventures. The founders say the sale was motivated by their desire to preserve the new league and avoid a "leveraged corporate takeover" by another franchise owner based in Omaha, Neb."
  16. ^ a b c Ramos, Richard (January 16, 2025). "Major League Volleyball debuts in January 2026, Sacramento among first 10 teams". CBS News. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c Dotson, Nijzel (January 16, 2025). "Sacramento expected to have a team in new women's pro volleyball league". KCRA 3. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  18. ^ a b Sim, Josh (January 17, 2025). "New US$100m women's volleyball league to launch in 2026". SportsPro. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  19. ^ a b Koperski, Scott (January 16, 2025). "Omaha Supernovas leaving Pro Volleyball Federation". Nebraska Public Media. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Crawford, Kristen; Lukas, Joan (January 16, 2025). "Major League Volleyball Women's Pro League to Launch in January 2026". USA Volleyball. Archived from the original on January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  21. ^ a b Hettesheimer, Cassidy (January 17, 2025). "Major League Volleyball is coming to Minnesota". The Minnesota Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 17, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  22. ^ Hartle, Sam (January 16, 2025). "Kansas 1 of 11 states to be part of new Major League Volleyball venture". KSHB 41 Kansas City. Archived from the original on January 16, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2025.
  23. ^ "'Nothing short of phenomenal' | Indy Ignite defeats Orlando Valkyries in opening PVF match". wthr.com. January 12, 2025. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  24. ^ a b "The Indy Ignite made the PVF Championship; here's everything you need to know". wthr.com. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  25. ^ "Dallas Joins Pro Volleyball Federation as League's Newest Franchise". provolleyball.com. July 19, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  26. ^ Badenhausen, Kurt; Novy-Williams, Eben; Soshnick, Scott (August 4, 2025). "Pro volleyball merger values leagues at $325M". Sportico. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  27. ^ Axon, Rachel (August 4, 2025). "Pro Volleyball Federation, Major League Volleyball to merge, expand". Street & Smith's Sports Business Journal. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  28. ^ "Omaha Supernovas crowned first Pro Volleyball Federation champions". Nebraska Public Media. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  29. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Pro Volleyball Federation. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  30. ^ "16 Big Ten Players Chosen in Pro Volleyball Federation Draft". Big Ten Conference. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  31. ^ "Merritt Beason Leads Selections In 2024 PVF Draft". Pro Volleyball Federation. November 25, 2024. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  32. ^ "Pro Volleyball Federation Announces CBS Sports as First Media Rights Partner". OurSports Central. December 20, 2023.
  33. ^ "Pro Volleyball Federation Announces CBS Sports As First Media Rights Partner". Sports Video Group. December 21, 2023. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  34. ^ "Pro Volleyball Federation & CBS Sports Announce Multi-Year Extension". Pro Volleyball Federation. November 20, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  35. ^ "Pro Volleyball Federation Expands TV Coverage to FS1 and FS2". Pro Volleyball Federation. December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  36. ^ "Roku Strikes 2-Year Streaming Deal With Pro Volleyball Federation in Latest Sports Push". The Wrap. January 8, 2025. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  37. ^ "VBTV becomes global streaming partner for Pro Volleyball Federation for 2025 season". Volleyball World. January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  38. ^ a b c "Player Compensation Increases Announced For 2025". Pro Volleyball Federation. March 18, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  39. ^ a b c "Pro Volleyball Federation Announces Season Honors". Pro Volleyball Federation. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  40. ^ "PVF Announces 2025 Individual Awards". Pro Volleyball Federation. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
  41. ^ "PVF Announces 2025 Individual Awards". OurSports Central. May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
  42. ^ a b "PVF Announces 2025 All-League Teams". Pro Volleyball Federation. May 6, 2025. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
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