League One Volleyball (LOVB), recognized as the largest volleyball organization in the United States, is set to establish a new franchise in Los Angeles. This initiative is backed by prominent investor Alexis Ohanian, founder of Reddit and a notable advocate for women’s sports.

Investment and Market Growth

While the specifics of the financial commitment remain undisclosed, Ohanian’s investment firm, Seven Seven Six, is poised to guide this venture. Ohanian has voiced his enthusiasm for the potential of volleyball, citing the absence of a male-dominated counterpart, allowing the women’s game to flourish culturally and commercially.

“I’ve been deep in women’s and emerging sports for the past five years, and volleyball kept popping up as one that checked a lot of boxes,” Ohanian commented in a recent interview with The Athletic.

He emphasized the significance of social media engagement over traditional TV ratings, highlighting the vibrant online presence of volleyball.

LOVB’s Journey

The professional league started in Austin in January with six franchises: Omaha, Austin, Madison, Salt Lake City, Houston, and Atlanta. Each of these locations is known for its rich youth and collegiate volleyball heritage.

LOVB reported impressive engagement metrics in its inaugural season, achieving 191 million impressions and over 38.9 million views of match content across various platforms. The season culminated with a championship final viewed by more than 1.1 million people.

The Los Angeles franchise is expected to commence operations in January 2027 as the league’s third professional season unfolds.

Ohanian’s Investment Philosophy

Ohanian’s interest in LOVB was ignited through connections with a former volleyball player. He appreciates LOVB’s unique youth-first model, underlining a sustainable business approach that links junior athletes to professional teams.

“They proved that a great model owning everything from youth to pro… That’s a lifelong fandom that’s built from the ground up,” Ohanian stated.

This model has been lucrative, allowing LOVB to operate profitably since its inception, primarily due to its expansive youth academy network, which connects 3,400 young athletes and 3,000 coaches across 28 states.

Volleyball’s Rising Popularity

Volleyball ranks as the second-most popular sport among female athletes in the U.S. In recent years, other professional leagues such as Athletes Unlimited and the merged Pro Volleyball Federation have emerged, further diversifying the landscape for women’s volleyball. A landmark NCAA game in 2023 between Nebraska and Omaha even attracted 92,003 fans, setting a global attendance record for women’s sports.

Future Prospects

Ohanian, who is also involved with the NWSL’s Angel City FC and a golf league created by Tiger Woods, hinted at possible additional investors joining the LOVB Los Angeles ownership group in the future. “No news yet to announce, but LA is a very desirable market,” he noted.

In a strategic partnership, LOVB is set to air regular-season matches on USA Network during prime time beginning in January 2026, along with live coverage of playoffs and the 2026 championship.