Latest news with #JordanLarson
New York Times
06-08-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Olympian Jordan Larson leads new ownership team of League One Volleyball Nebraska
League One Volleyball (LOVB), the largest volleyball organization in the United States including divisions from youth/grassroots to a pro league, has announced a new ownership group for its Nebraska-based professional team. The group is led by four-time Olympic medalist and LOVB founding athlete Jordan Larson, alongside the investment arm of JE Dunn Construction Group, the construction manager for the world's first stadium built specifically for a women's professional sports team, the CPKC Stadium for NWSL's Kansas City Current. Advertisement 'As I started stepping away from the national team, I found myself thinking more seriously about what's next,' Larson told The Athletic. 'Volleyball is really growing in the U.S., especially on the professional side and we're seeing more women getting seats at the table, which is exciting. I've been surrounding myself with a few entrepreneurial friends, asking a lot of questions and learning as much as I can about the business side of things. I'm really interested in what it takes to run a professional team and how I can be part of shaping the future of the sport.' The announcement is coming on the heels of a significant shift in the volleyball ecosystem. On Monday, Sportico reported that the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) is merging with Major League Volleyball (MLV), which is expected to launch in 2026. The merger secured $40 million in funding, valuing the combined leagues at more than $325 million. Leading the investment is the DeVos family, owners of the NBA's Orlando Magic and the PVF's Grand Rapids Rise. Notably, the MLV will include the sport's most popular team, the Omaha Supernovas, who boasted an impressive league-high average 10,925 spectators per match. Volleyball is the second-most popular sport for female athletes in the U.S. and already boasts a strong national following. At the college level, the sport made history in 2023 when an NCAA game between Nebraska and Omaha drew a record-breaking crowd of 92,003 fans in Lincoln, setting a new all-time, global benchmark for attendance at a women's sporting event. 'It's time, and I love that people are finally getting behind it,' Larson added. 'You can feel the momentum, and it's really special to watch. I get so excited for these girls because they can actually say, 'I want to be a volleyball player,' and see a clear path forward. When I was growing up, my idol was Michael Jordan—there wasn't really a female representation of what that was. I am just really grateful that people are giving chances and opportunities, and the media is really buying into that. What they choose to spotlight matters, and it feels like, finally, volleyball is something people want to be a part of. It's awesome.' Advertisement As part of the ownership transition, the franchise — previously known as LOVB Omaha — will be rebranded as LOVB Nebraska. The new name represents more than a geographic update. According to LOVB, the rebrand reflects a broader mission: to serve and represent every level of the volleyball community in Nebraska, from grassroots programs to the professional ranks. 'What makes Nebraska volleyball so special is that it's truly a statewide passion, it's not just limited to Lincoln,' Larson said. 'You look across the state, and you see high-level play at every level. Creighton, Wayne State, University of Nebraska Kearney, they're all doing big things. Even in western Nebraska, there's a deep love for the game. Sometimes it's hard to bring everyone together, but the goal is to make this a true statewide movement, because volleyball really means something here.' Youth volleyball has been at the core of LOVB's mission. Since its launch in 2020, the company has acquired and built a national network of affiliated clubs. Today, LOVB partners with more than 60 youth programs and connects with a pipeline of 16,000 players across the country, according to the Youth Sports Business Report. That grassroots foundation not only fuels a passionate fan base, it also serves as a direct pathway for the league's future professional talent. LOVB was cash positive from day one thanks to its youth academy business and raised $160 million to date, including a recent $100 million round led by Atwater Capital with participation from existing investors Ares Management and Left Lane Capital. The league has also attracted big name sponsors and partners such as Adidas, Spanx, Revolve and Kim Kardashian's Skims. The professional league kicked off in Austin in January with six franchises in Omaha, Austin, Madison, Salt Lake City, Houston, and Atlanta, cities steeped in youth and college volleyball tradition, featuring some of the best players in the world including American Olympic medalists, NCAA champions and international superstars.
USA Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska volleyball set to host star-studded alumni game
Nebraska volleyball legends are set to participate in this year's inaugural alumni match. The match itself will take place on Saturday, August 16, at 6 p.m. CT at the Bob DeVaney Sports Center. Several star-studded volleyball alumni will participate, including former All-American Jordan Larson. Two-time all-American center Kelly Hunter will be on the roster, as will be Lauren Strivns and libero Kenzie Mahoney. There will also be a trio of former Huskers at this game, as Lindsay Crouse, Layla Blackwell, and Allie Batenhorst will be on the roster. It's important to note that these rosters are not final and more names may be made public in the coming weeks, according to a press release from the school. This is certainly going to be a star-studded affair, and it will look into the tradition of Nebraska volleyball. At the very least, it's a nice appetizer to what should be an exciting volleyball season. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
