Former Olympic and collegiate volleyball players now have the option to play the sport professionally in two different leagues in the United States.
In the last year, two pro volleyball leagues, the Professional Volleyball Federation and League One Volleyball, have made their mark, providing a new option for players to stay close to home while pursuing their dream.
Before this, collegiate volleyball players looking to continue their career would have had to play in countries like Italy, Brazil, or Japan. Now, with not one but two leagues with teams based across the country, many athletes can stay closer to home.
The PVF was founded in November 2022, but only started its first season in January 2024. The LOVB was founded in 2020 and had its first game this past January.
Both leagues’ seasons extend from January through May, with regular season games and an end-of-the-year tournament.
The PVF resembles the traditional professional sports league, with team nicknames, mascots, a draft, and a larger fan base.
The LOVB seems to be made more for the players themselves, generating a higher overall skill level among the players. Players sign rather than being drafted, and the teams do not have nicknames.
Fans can watch PVF games on DirecTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and as well as CBS, Paramount +, and Fox Sports. LOVB games are available on ESPN +.
As playoffs approach, the teams to look out for in the PVF consist of the Orlando Valkyries and the Omaha Supernovas. For LOVB, viewers should stay on the lookout for LOVB Atlanta and LOVB Houston.
There is no clear skill level difference between them, unlike the difference seen between minor and major league baseball.
Having pro leagues in America benefits the players, who are now able to live off of a volleyball career while staying close to friends and family. But it also is beneficial for women’s sports as a whole.
The LOVB, especially, benefits young girls involved in volleyball, because the whole league focuses on connecting the youth club volleyball experience with professional volleyball. Most teams practice out of club volleyball facilities.
However, the leagues should be combined. With two leagues, and possibly more to come, the leagues get more and more watered down. Having more than one league in one country spreads the talent too thin.
Having one league would make it easier for fans to find and cheer on their favorite athletes, and a united league also would be more popular, bringing in more money.
