Making news for the second time this week, the Frisco-based Pro Volleyball Federation today announced Atlanta as the league’s third market, with Atlanta businesswoman Colleen Durham Craig as the PVF’s first female team owner.
Earlier this week, the league announced that pop star Jason Derulo and Omaha businessman Danny White, founder and CEO of City+Ventures, are launching a PVF franchise in Omaha, Nebraska.
Atlanta now joins Omaha and Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the first of 8 to 10 markets that will have franchises in the women’s pro volleyball league. The federation’s inaugural season is scheduled to launch in February 2024.
‘Fitting in nicely’ in a big sports town
Colleen Durham Craig
“The exciting news continues for Pro Volleyball Federation, and our ability to open the 2024 inaugural season with a team in Atlanta is just another example of the positive momentum our league continues to demonstrate,” Stephen Evans, co-founder of the Pro Volleyball Federation, said in a statement. “Atlanta has tremendous professional sports organizations, and with Colleen leading the way, Atlanta’s Pro Volleyball Federation team is going to fit in well alongside the likes of the Falcons, Braves, Hawks, Atlanta United and the Dream.”
“Colleen’s business acumen is impeccable, and her passion for the sport is unmatched,” added league co-founder Dave Whinham. “From the first day we met Colleen, we knew we had to have her as part of the league, and we’re thrilled to announce her as the leader of such a great market.”
Women’s pro volleyball is ‘the largest untapped market in pro sports’
“Women’s professional volleyball is the largest untapped market in pro sports in the United States, and I’m so excited about what Pro Volleyball Federation is building,” new Atlanta team owner Colleen Durham Craig said in a statement. Craig is also the founder and CEO of Rally Sports Management.
“Volleyball is a fast-paced, high-flying sport that features incredible athletes competing at the highest level and is compelling to sports fans across a variety of demographics,” she added.
“Atlanta is going to fall in love with the sport and the incredible athletes who play it.”
The new league says its matches will be played at a major-league level in marquee arenas with elite athletes who, for the first time, have an opportunity to be paid and play professional volleyball at the highest level without leaving the country.
Founding partners include QB Joe Burrow and Super Bowl champ Trent Dilfer
The Pro Volleyball Federation has attracted some well-known founding partners from both in and out of the sport. Super Bowl champion Trent Dilfer and NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow, along with Burrow’s parents Jimmy and Robin Burrow, are among the roster of founding partners. Also, two legends of the sport—former USA Volleyball Board Chair Dr. Cecile Reynaud and former Olympian Laurie Corbelli—are involved with the new league, which is led by CEO Jen Spicher.
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Partnering with Omaha businessman Danny White, Derulo—who's sold more than 250 million singles worldwide—is making Omaha, Nebraska, the second city to be announced so far for the Frisco-based women's pro volleyball league. Dallas Innovates wrote about the new league in November. It's just one of many sports leagues and businesses—from pickleball to the PGA to esports to high-tech soccer entertainment—that are proving the future of sports is in North Texas.
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