The GIST

Media brand Rebel Girls establishes partnerships with LOVB, AUSL

Yesterday, Rebel Girls (RG) — a digital media company created to inspire Gen Alpha girls — announced two major partnerships with emerging pro women’s sports leagues: League One Volleyball (LOVB) and Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL).

December 11, 2024

LOVB announces $100M in new funding from venture capital and investment firms

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Yesterday, LOVB (pronounced LOVE) announced $100M in funding led by Atwater Capital, along with existing supporters Ares Management and Left Lane Capital, bringing its total of funds raised to $160M. The GIST spoke with LOVB CEO Katlyn Gao yesterday about what this means for the volleyball brand at every level of the game.

November 22, 2024

PVF announces broadcast coverage expansion with media partner CBS

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The Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) is gearing up for its second year ahead of next week’s draft. In an exclusive with The GIST today, PVF announced an extension of its media rights agreement with CBS through a multiyear deal that includes increased match coverage and cable air time — a historic first for women’s pro volleyball.

November 20, 2024

Gen Z, Millennial designer brand platform Revolve partners with LOVB

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Yesterday, leading volleyball brand LOVB Pro announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Revolve, the designer clothing platform beloved by Gen Z and Millennial shoppers. The deal makes Revolve the league’s official online fashion retail partner and highlights innovative ways the clothing industry can appeal to young consumers via sport.

November 13, 2024

AU Volleyball preps for fourth season as the sport takes hold at the U.S. pro level

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Athletes Unlimited (AU) is getting ready to serve up its fourth season of AU Volleyball, the month-long pro league that’s changed the game for the world’s top women volleyball players. While the sport is already highly popular in other countries, new U.S. pro leagues can offer American exposure through media, marketing, and sponsorship.

September 30, 2024

LOVB employs 75% of USA Volleyball roster for Paris 2024 Olympics

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The U.S.’ Olympic women’s volleyball roster just dropped, and there’s a lot of love for League One Volleyball (LOVB). Nine of the 12 starters and two alternates on Team USA have already signed deals with LOVB Pro, an impressive feat considering the new pro volleyball league won’t begin play until November, well after the Games.

June 07, 2024

LOVB enters unique multiyear partnership with smart gym company Tonal

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League One Volleyball (LOVB) and home gym system Tonal have partnered to offer volleyball-centric workout programs and a unique family-focused program. The pro women’s volleyball league won’t launch until November, but it secured Tonal’s first league partnership.

February 09, 2024

Sports Business

Seven Pro Volleyball Federation teams begin their four-month season this week

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January 22, 2024

Circle your entire calendar, because 2024 is the year of women’s volleyball.

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The GIST of It Podcast

Ep #433

A 4 Nations preview, plus Trump's trans athlete ban

February 11, 2025

Listen on Apple Music Listen on Spotify

A 4 Nations preview, plus Trump's trans athlete ban

Today’s episode of The GIST of It has a little bit of everything with one tournament preview and one WTF moment on deck. Co-hosts Ellen Hyslop and Steph Rotz start things off by discussing the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, an NHL hockey tourney that’ll pit Team USA, Team Canada, Team Finland, and Team Sweden against each other for international glory. Icy and spicy.

Then in part two, El and Steph unfortunately have to dig into a massive WTF moment following last week’s news that U.S. president Donald Trump signed an executive order barring trans athletes from competing in women’s sports. El and Steph discuss what exactly an executive order does and the devastating impact this move will have on girls’ and women’s sports.