Major League Volleyball Adds Los Angeles Team for 2027 Season

Major League Volleyball announced the addition of a Los Angeles franchise that will begin play in 2027. The team joins previously announced expansion locations in Northern California, Washington D.C., and Minneapolis-St. Paul. The announcement follows the league's third season, during which ION and Scripps broadcast the postseason and championship.

The coverage reached nearly three million viewers, with the championship match peaking above 300,000 viewers and averaging 200,000.

The Dallas Pulse received a $1 million prize after winning the championship. All four semifinal teams received postseason bonuses, and players advancing to the final received additional compensation. The league has committed more than $1.5 million in bonuses across the season.

"That is a significant part of our investment is making sure bonuses happen, so you're playing for something," Weston said.

Patrick Soon-Shiong and Ben Priest will lead the Los Angeles team. Soon-Shiong holds a minority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers. Priest previously served as managing partner of the Omaha Supernovas. The ownership group hired Alisha Childress as the team's first head coach.

Childress previously coached the San Diego Mojo and played for the U.S. national team that won gold at the 2014 World Championships and bronze at the 2016 Olympics. "Adding Los Angeles is an important step in the growth of Major League Volleyball and our long-term vision for the sport in the United States," Weston said.

The league will have twelve teams in 2027.