In recent days, women’s volleyball has become one of the most popular sports in the USA. Alongside the country’s representation at the Olympics, collegiate volleyball has experienced a significant boom. As a result, athletes have enjoyed unprecedented popularity. Programs like the Nebraska Huskers, UCLA Bruins, and others have propelled the sport to new heights. Now, it seems professional ventures are also stepping in to amplify the trend and sustain its momentum.

Over the past few years, several volleyball leagues have emerged, transforming the professional landscape of the sport in the USA. For a long time, volleyball players in the country had limited professional options after their collegiate careers ended, often needing to go overseas or retire altogether. But that’s no longer the case. With three main volleyball leagues now in action, navigating this new era can get a little confusing. Don’t worry, though—we’ve got you covered! Here’s a breakdown of how it all works.

How PVF, LOVB, and other leagues work in the USA

The Pro Volleyball Federation, League One Volleyball, and Athletes Unlimited are the three main pillars of the USA’s professional volleyball scene at the moment. All of these three leagues have differing visions and plans to help the sport grow in the country along with giving players a chance to go pro and continue their careers even after their elite careers end.

Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF): Announced in 2022, the PVF started its inaugural run in 2024. In January this year, the Atlanta Vibes took on the Omaha Supernovas to mark the beginning of the new league. Keeping up with Nebraska’s volleyball popularity, fans also showed up in throngs to fill the stadium to highlight definitively the league’s potential. And now, PVF has signed a multi-year deal with CBS Sports, also revealing that up to 20 matches would be broadcast via the network in 2025.

“Pro Volleyball Federation is the present and future of professional volleyball in North America,” reads the description of the league according to PVF’s official website. The second season of the league will arrive in mid-January next year, and fans can’t wait to see what new offerings it brings to the table. With the aim to make women’s professional volleyball bigger than ever before, PVF also promises to pay as much as $175,000 to the athletes in 2025, along with up to $10,000 additional payments to athletes per year.

It’s expected that 10 teams will play in the next year. Past and present Nebraska Huskers stars like Ally Batenhorst and Merritt Beason have spearheaded the 2025 PVF draft and the anticipation for next year’s action is already titillating.

League One Volleyball (LOVB): The LOVB body was founded in 2020, and will commence its maiden season in 2025. Co-established by retired Olympic beach volleyball star Kevin Wong, the league was meant to be a network of youth volleyball clubs across the country. The league aims to make volleyball more accessible to fans so that future stars could be given a viable career option.

“League One Volleyball is a first-of-its-kind community re-imagining the future of volleyball,” notes the official website of LOVB. From focusing on developing junior volleyball clubs to bringing the world’s best players together, the league has ambitious goals set. Its vision has also helped to rack in millions of dollars in investment, and it’s expected to bring a new edge to the sport.

Athletes United Pro Volleyball: In contrast to LOVB and PVF, Athletes United offers a more “fun” approach to volleyball. The indoor league was founded in 2021 and allows players more flexibility than traditional tournaments. Here, athletes are not committed to one team and instead can switch teams every week of the season. The official Athletes United website claims, “At Athletes United, we are committed to promoting mental health and wellness of athletes, coaches, and officials at ALL levels and ALL sports starting at age 10.”

This league levies heavy attention on the players’ social lives along with helping them to continue their journey as professional volleyball stars. Even the official decisions of the league are directed by the players, making it a truly inspiring environment to grow within.

The reason behind having three volleyball leagues

The country’s leading volleyball authorities have chosen not to maintain direct control over professional leagues, allowing independent ventures to step in and shape the sport’s future. Consequently, each league—LOVB, PVF, and Athletes United—adopts unique approaches to developing volleyball. These include distinct recruitment processes, varied payment structures, and partnerships with different media outlets to boost the sport’s visibility and reach.

LOVB and Athletes Unlimited broadcast their games through the ESPN network, while PVF has secured a long-term deal with CBS. AU and LOVB rely on free agency to recruit players, whereas PVF follows a traditional drafting process. This approach maximizes professional opportunities for athletes, with the PVF draft becoming an annual highlight for NCAA graduates. The draft not only motivates collegiate stars to excel but has also attracted national players, eager to see their names on PVF and LOVB team rosters.

So which league are you most interested in? Tell us below!