Professional volleyball team coming to Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Nebraska will have a part in a brand-new professional volleyball league.

The Pro Volleyball Federation announced on Monday that it’s launching a franchise in Omaha for the league’s inaugural season in 2024.

The team will be owned by Omaha businessman Danny White and singer Jason Derulo, according to a press release.

“This is another special day for Pro Volleyball Federation,” said Dave Whinham, a founder of the league. “We always knew we wanted a team in Omaha, and we knew it would take a special ownership group to live up to the huge potential of the Omaha market.

“We know we have found that special group and are so excited to see what Danny and Jason will do to undoubtedly make Omaha a flagship franchise in our league.”

White is the founder/CEO of City+Ventures, one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States and the fastest-growing company in Nebraska, according to the release.

The league has strong ties to Nebraska.

Jimmy Burrow, the director of brand advancement, is a former football player and coach at the University of Nebraska.

His son Jamie, older brother of NFL quarterback Joe Burrow, is a former All-Big 12 linebacker for the Cornhuskers who still resides in Omaha.

Omaha is the second market to be publicly announced. The team will hold a local celebration in the weeks to come to introduce the city to its first major women’s professional sports team.

The Nebraska women’s volleyball program has led the nation in attendance since 2013.

Omaha, which hosted the 2022 NCAA Division I volleyball championship in December, made headlines when this past season’s matchup pitting Nebraska and hometown Creighton was played before 15,797 fans.

At the time, the matchup set the record for the largest crowd for a regular-season volleyball match in NCAA history.