US Olympic Veteran’s Jibe at Increasing Pro Volleyball League Announcements Leaves Community Amused: ‘Gold Medal Response’

On January 16, the Nebraska Huskers posted a record-breaking profit of $1.3 million for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The Huskers made history powered by their women’s sports world record-setting 92,003 attendance figures on August 30, 2023. The figure gave a glimpse of what women’s volleyball is capable of, and now women’s pro volleyball is looking to capitalize on that potential. So far, the Professional Volleyball League (PVF) has even gotten a glimpse of that success.

On January 10, the PFV’s Omaha Supernovas set a national record by filling the CHI Health Center arena with 13,486 fans. However, LOVB has also started their competing league this year, followed by Supernovas’ founder announcing yet another upcoming league in 2026. So suddenly people have more leagues than they may be able to follow. Yet, instead of criticizing this trend conventionally, an Olympian has devised an ingenious and hilarious method, involving the fans.

A volleyball veteran’s ingenious sarcasm that won the community over

The rapidly increasing number of volleyball leagues motivated the volleyball star to make an eye-catching post. “Since everyone and their Great Aunt Shirley wants to make a New Pro Volleyball League, here’s your chance to join in on the fun!” the Olympian wrote. Fans flocked to the challenge, leaving comments like, “This is a Gold Medal standard response.”

While Haleigh Washington is already a two-time Olympic medalist, what did the post contain that fans wanted to give her another medal? Well, the two-time FIVB Nations League champion posted an editable template that fans could use to make their own pro volleyball league announcement. The only rule was to make them as hilarious as possible. So what was the template?

“This just in! Coming in (year)! A brand new Professional Women’s Volleyball League! The (superlative) (synonym for Pro) Volleyball League! With key investors like (TikTok influencer), (random pop celebrity), (a volleyball player important enough to make this seem legit)!!! Launching in cities like (Midwest city) and (nickname of a city)!!!” read the instructions.

“Why support when you can compete!? (Another superlative) coming soon! Sponsored by RPDWS (rich people disenfranchising women’s sports) Look out WNBA. You’re next,” added the volleyball star. The resulting hilarious samples that followed the post floored fans and Haleigh Washington’s fellow pro volleyball alike.

One of her examples created an announcement for the “bestest master volleyball league,” with investors such as, “James Charles, Danny DeVito, (and) Tori Dixon,” coming to venues such as “Bikini Bottom!” Yes, SpongeBob SquarePants’ fiction Bikini Bottom. Even the players couldn’t stop themselves from commenting on the post.

LOVB Omaha’s defensive specialist Justine Wong-Orantes couldn’t contain her laughter after reading the volleyball star’s post. “Hahahahhaa I love you,” commented Washington’s U.S. Volleyball teammate and fellow Olympic medalist. While Washington explained that her post was nothing more than a joke, it didn’t mean there wasn’t even the slightest hint of criticism.

Why Haleigh Washington is taking a jibe at pro volleyball

The fact that Haleigh Washington wasn’t completely against the idea of the professional volleyball circuit getting more exposure is tied to her profession. After all, the reason the 29-year-old now plays in the States is because she joined League One Volleyball. The Olympian is one of LOVB Salt Lake’s middle blockers. So she isn’t against the idea of even having more than one league.

However, with the MLV announcement, the U.S. will have four pro volleyball leagues in 2026. There’s no rule that more leagues can’t pop up in the coming days, either. So even the fans agreed with the volleyball icon’s sarcastic jibe to some degree. “The audacity of you to post what we are all thinking,” commented one fan, highlighting that not all the fans are on board with any leagues either.

This became immediately apparent when MLV originally announced its plans on social media. Fans flocked to the comments section, demanding a single league instead of the four. Fans already seem to have their hands full with the Athletes Unlimited Pro League, PVF, and LOVB. Adding yet another may not go over well, especially because an already beloved team would switch leagues.

The Omaha Supernovas have become one of the most beloved pro volleyball teams. However, founder Danny White will take the team to MLV, as he is a founding member of Major League Volleyball. However, while many are concerned about what the future holds, others simply had a laugh after reading Haleigh Washington’s hilarious post. Some even praised her writing skills.

“The bikini bottom (clap emoji). Please write a show. I’d binge it,” commented one fan, stunned at the creativity in Washington’s writing. Meanwhile, one of Washington’s imaginary investors herself commented on the post. “Launching with Sabrina Carpenter and Danny Devito?!? Dream come true! Come join my league!!” commented the 29-year-old’s teammate Tori Dixon.

Dixon, who also plays as a middle blocker on LOVB Salt Lake, seemed stoked at the idea of being able to sponsor a women’s pro volleyball league. However, jokes aside, the problem is that Haleigh Washington may very well come back to haunt every pro volleyball league if the market gets too over-saturated. Yet what do you believe? Write your opinions in the comments.