Nebraska had become the volleyball state long before 2023. Nebraska Volleyball fans always prided themselves on their five-time national championship-winning NCAA team. When the Huskers set the women’s sports attendance world record, filling Memorial Stadium with 92,003 fans, it was an affirmation of that fact. So it’s no surprise that the state has also become the hotbed for pro volleyball.

However, pro volleyball wasn’t even a thing when Big Red set the record, dubbing August 30, 2023, as ‘Volleyball Day’ in Nebraska. Yet, a little over a year after the first Volleyball Day, Nebraska now has two different teams from Omaha in two different pro volleyball leagues. The first is the Professional Volleyball Federation (PFV) while the newer one is League One Volleyball (LOVB). So how did two separate, million-dollar pro leagues come to exist in the same state?

Fighting for Nebraska volleyball’s future

In a traditional scenario where rival organizations clash to capture the attention of the same audience, there can only be one winner. And while the PFV and LOVB are very much rivals in the traditional sense of the word, there are some crucial differences. However, the biggest similarity is that the leagues are fighting for Nebraska volleyball’s future rather than to control it.

Even those associated with the leagues think the same. LOVB Omaha coach Susie Fritz believes there is plenty of room in town for both. “The level of support for volleyball here is off the charts,” Fritz told the Lincoln Journal Star. Considering that Nebraska volleyball fans have a world record in showing support, it’s difficult to argue with Fritz’s logic.

In fact, such support isn’t only limited to the college volleyball level. PVF’s Omaha Supernovas Team President Diane Mendenhall recounted the support the Professional Volleyball Federation team got during their inaugural season. The president explained that Nebraska volleyball culture “wrapped its arms around us,” when the Supernovas played their inaugural season in 2024.

And the numbers back that claim up. Despite being a completely new team in a completely new league, the Omaha Supernovas arguably enjoyed the most support out of all the other PFV teams. The proof showed itself in the pudding when the Nebraska volleyball fans set the U.S. Pro Volleyball Attendance Record at 12,090 at the CHI Health Center on March 16, 2024.

This year, shortly after LOVB and PVF started the 2025 pro volleyball season, the Omaha Supernovas fans broke their own record. On January 10, 13,486 fans filled the CHI to set a new record. Despite this head-on rivalry, Mendenhall has welcomed the prospect of having two competing leagues. “If it’s great for volleyball… I’m in favor of it.” said the president.

However, you may be wondering how such an arrangement will work in the long run. How would two separate leagues function to uplift the sport in the same city, while also keeping out of one another’s way?

How the two volleyball leagues are taking different approaches to the same destination

While the PFV doesn’t disclose its earnings, the LOVB announced that they have generated $160 million in investments. And while that amount will go to enrich pro-level volleyball across the nation, it’s safe to say LOVB has invested a substantial amount into uplifting volleyball’s future. The fledgling league hasn’t hidden its goal from Nebraska volleyball fans, either.

“The initial idea behind LOVB was to introduce a youth-to-pro ecosystem approach from the onset,” LOVB co-founder Katlyn Gao said in 2023. The organization’s goal is not just to run a professional league, but to invest in the sport at every level. The LOVB hopes to invest in players from the very beginning until they become pros, and then provide a platform to do even more.

Meanwhile, the PFV’s goal has been to create a professional volleyball league to rival more established professional sports leagues. From handing competitive salaries to creating unique teams in eight states to promote a sense of fan loyalty, the PFV has had a different approach. Last year, Jen Spicher explained how rewarding the players is their central goal.

“Our players were also compensated for their talents, with a minimum salary of at least $60,000 for the season. Some earned as much as $125,000 and several secured bonus money as well.” Jen Spicher said after the inaugural season wrapped up. However, as you can see, both leagues ultimately hope to uplift the players and sport, and few places are more suitable for that than Nebraska.

Hence, the leagues have provided one another ample space to one another at the start of the 2025 season. According to the Lincoln Journal Star, while both seasons are running simultaneously, the only conflicting date when both the Omaha teams will directly vie for airtime will be on March 22. Mendenhall confessed that they didn’t even deliberately avoid any dates.

“We’re basically just working hard with CHI… Creighton basketball is the No. 1 tenant and we’re No. 2,” said the Supernovas president. Yet things seemed to have fallen into place. LOVB and PFV also stuck to separate broadcasting partners, with LOVB going with ESPN+.

Meanwhile, the PVF has partnered with FS2 and the local network Nebraska Public Media. Even when the Journal Star asked Fritz about co-existence, the coach replied: “I’d say the answer is definitely yes.” So as unlikely as it may sound, the LOBV and PVF are putting Nebraska volleyball ahead of their rivalry in Omaha.