Pro Volleyball Federation Signs First Media Deal With CBS Sports
The Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), a new U.S. professional women’s volleyball league, announced it has finalized its first media deal, signing with CBS Sports.
The network is the first official media partner to be announced as part of PVF’s media rights package, which is expected to include domestic and international rights. The multiyear agreement includes a minimum of 10 matches to be aired in 2024, plus the semifinals and championship match of the PVF’s championship weekend.
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“This is another groundbreaking day in the history of Pro Volleyball Federation,” said PVF co-founder Dave Whinham. “We have a great partner that believes in the growth of women’s professional volleyball in North America. We are very proud of this relationship and excited about the dynamic new ways we will be able to present our matches within the CBS Sports platform.”
Founded in 2022 by Whinham and Stephen Evans, the league will begin its inaugural season in January with seven franchises: Atlanta Vibe, Columbus Fury, Vegas Thrill, Grand Rapids Rise, Omaha Supernovas, Orlando Valkryies and San Diego Mojo.
Three more teams—Dallas, Indianapolis and Kansas City—have been announced for the 2025 season.
“We have ownership representation from Major League Baseball, the NHL and the NBA,” Evans said in a video call. Grand Rapids Rise is owned and operated by Dan DeVos, the chairman of DP Fox Sports & Entertainment, whose family owns the NBA’s Orlando Magic franchise and the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, and he is a limited partner of the Chicago Cubs. The Golden Knights ownership group has an interest in the Las Vegas Thrill. The ownership groups of the Kansas City Royals and Sacramento Kings back the Kansas City franchise. In addition, five-time Olympian and three-time gold medalist beach volleyball star Keri Walsh Jennings is a league investor and part of the San Diego ownership group.
“[Volleyball] is the only team sport in the world where the women’s version doesn’t take a backseat to the men’s version,” Evans said. “And most people will tell you that the women’s version is more fun to watch and attend. It’s not a thing taking away from the men’s game. It’s just a different game.”
The league’s inaugural college draft saw 35 players chosen, including four stars who played in the NCAA Final Four. University of Texas star Asjia O’Neal was the league’s first draft pick last week, joining the Columbus franchise. Pittsburgh’s Emma Monks will join O’Neal as team’s setter, while her teammate Chiamaka Nwokolo will play for Atlanta Vibe. Wisconsin’s Temi Thomas-Allara joins the San Diego Mojo. The average player salary for the league is $60,000, and two players from each team will earn up to $100,000.
PVF is the country’s third professional women’s volleyball league after Athletes Unlimited and League One Volleyball (LOVB). The league will run from January to mid-May, allowing players who want to play overseas or for Athletes Unlimited and LOVB to play in different competitions throughout the rest of the year.
The CBS Sports matches will be aired primarily on CBS Sports Network in 2024, with opportunities for games to be aired on CBS throughout the partnership term. The league’s complete national broadcast schedule, along with additional media rights partners, will be announced at a later date.
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