Alexis ohanian’s Strategic Move into Professional Women’s Volleyball
Expanding his influence in women’s athletics, Alexis Ohanian has acquired a significant stake in professional women’s volleyball. His investment firm, Seven Seven Six, will lead the ownership consortium for a new franchise called LOVB Los Angeles Volleyball, competing in League One Volleyball (LOVB).
The Emergence of League One Volleyball as a Powerhouse
Since its inception in 2020, LOVB has quickly become a dynamic platform that bridges youth growth with elite competition.The league boasts high-profile media partnerships with ESPN and Comcast’s Versant streaming service and attracts major sponsors like Skims. These alliances have considerably boosted volleyball’s profile and commercial viability.
to date, LOVB has raised over $160 million from investors such as Olympic gold medalist skier Mikaela Shiffrin, former WNBA standout Skylar Diggins-Smith, and Boardroom Sports Holdings-co-founded by NBA star Kevin Durant. this substantial capital injection reflects growing investor confidence in the expanding market of women’s volleyball.
Record-Breaking Growth in Participation and audience Engagement
The sport is witnessing remarkable expansion at the grassroots level; during the 2023-24 school year alone,nearly 480,000 high school girls nationwide participated-a historic peak according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. Concurrently, televised matches are attracting record audiences: ESPN recently reported its highest-ever viewership for NCAA women’s volleyball semifinals.
this surge was mirrored during LOVB’s inaugural season when multiple games sold out venues across cities and merchandise sales exceeded $1 million-clear signs of an increasingly passionate fan base.
A Diverse Investment Portfolio Centered on Women’s sports
Ohanian’s commitment to female athletics extends beyond volleyball. he holds minority shares in Chelsea FC Women’s soccer team and launched Athlos-a track-and-field startup focused on empowering female athletes-in early 2024. Additionally, he supports collegiate women’s basketball through generous contributions to his alma mater at the University of virginia.
His wife Serena Williams is also deeply invested within women’s sports ecosystems; she co-owns toronto Tempo-a WNBA expansion team set to debut in 2026-and backs the Unrivaled Basketball League which features competitive 3-on-3 formats for women players.
Nurturing southern California’s Thriving Sports Scene
“Volleyball aligns perfectly with Southern California’s energetic sports culture,” Ohanian commented about his latest venture. “The community consistently welcomes new professional teams with great enthusiasm.”
This initiative complements Seven Seven Six’s existing LA-based investments including Angel City FC from the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and TGL LA Golf Club-demonstrating a strategic focus on cultivating diverse female-driven sports franchises within key metropolitan markets.
The Economic Rationale behind Investing in Women’s Athletics
“We’re only scratching the surface of what happens when these leagues receive proper investment-in resources, exposure, and financial support,” Ohanian remarked regarding women’s sports as an emerging business opportunity.
The combination of soaring participation rates among young athletes alongside rising broadcast ratings signals strong growth potential for early investors willing to champion these leagues’ development phases.
A Closer Look at Competitive Action: Highlights from LOVB Matches
Sara Loda (#17) representing LOVB Houston leaps alongside teammate Amber Igiede (#3) attempting to block Madisen Skinner (#16) from LOVB austin during an intense February 2025 showdown at Texas’ H-E-B Center.
