Major League Volleyball Adds Minnesota Franchise
Published on November 18, 2025 under Major League Volleyball (MLV)
Minnesota News Release
Major League Volleyball (MLV), the premier professional volleyball league in the United States, is thrilled to announce Minnesota as its newest franchise market, set to begin competition in 2027. The addition increases the total number of teams to 11 for the '27 season.
The new MLV Minnesota franchise is majority owned and will be operated by Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE), a regional sports and entertainment leader that includes the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League. To place a season ticket deposit for MLV Minnesota and for more information on the team, fans can visit MLVMinnesota.com.
"We are extremely excited to announce that Minnesota will be home to a new Major League Volleyball team beginning in 2027," said Craig Leipold, majority owner and principal investor in Minnesota Sports & Entertainment. "Minnesota has a strong and vibrant volleyball culture that continues to flourish. We can't wait for fans to have the opportunity to watch the best volleyball players in the world compete at Grand Casino Arena."
The leadership in Minnesota adds to an already impressive group of owners at the forefront of Major League Volleyball. Dan DeVos (Grand Rapids Rise) serves as chairman of the Orlando Magic and is a member of the NBA Board of Governors. Jason Levien, CEO and co-chairman of DC United of Major League Soccer, leads the group for the MLV team in Washington DC. He is a former managing partner of the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies. The Northern California MLV team will be led by two powerhouse names. Vivek Ranadivé is the owner and chairman of the Sacramento Kings (NBA), while Theresia Gouw is co-founder and Managing Partner of Acrew Capital and America's first billionaire female venture capitalist. Her portfolio also includes a minority stake of the Buffalo Bills of the NFL.
MLV Minnesota will play its home matches at Grand Casino Arena - home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and the PWHL's Minnesota Frost.
"Expanding to Minnesota with this amazing ownership group is another milestone moment for Major League Volleyball," touted Scott Gorsline, president of the Grand Rapids Rise and co-chair of the MLV Board of Directors. "The Twin Cities embody everything we look for in a franchise market: vibrant sports culture, high-level volleyball interest, and the infrastructure to support a successful professional club. We're excited to bring world-class volleyball to Minnesota and to grow the game in the region."
The addition of the Minnesota franchise underscores the league's commitment to delivering elite-level women's sports to passionate communities across the country. It will add another top 20 media market to the MLV lineup, as all three teams scheduled to take the court in 2027 are in the top 20 nationally, with Minneapolis-St. Paul checking in at No. 16. The eight teams this season all rank in the top 45 in America.
The Minnesota franchise becomes a key member of MLV's growth strategy, joining other major-market teams across the United States. Minnesota has long demonstrated strong volleyball interest at collegiate, club and grassroots levels. With a deep pool of talent, a supportive fan-base, and world-class venues, the franchise will provide a professional platform for athletes and fans alike.
Minority investors in Minnesota's new MLV franchise include Tim Connelly (President of Basketball Operations, Minnesota Timberwolves), Matt Mithun (Part-Owner, Minnesota United FC), Cara Mulder (Owner, Prinsbank) and Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen (Co-Founders, Anytime Fitness), with transaction support from K Sports Advisory.
"We are proud to be investing in the growth of women's professional sports, here in Minnesota," said Mithun. "Successfully building a new professional sports team comes down to having the right athletes and local people involved, and our group is ideally positioned to launch women's pro volleyball in Minnesota."
Major League Volleyball Stories from November 18, 2025
- Rise Add Marquette Standout Jenna Reitsma as Director of Volleyball Operations - Grand Rapids Rise
- Major League Volleyball Adds Minnesota Franchise - Minnesota
- Orlando Accepts Invite to 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship - Orlando Valkyries
- Major League Volleyball to be Represented at 2025 FIVB Women's Club World Championship - MLV
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