Dallas, September 25, 2025
News Summary
Dallas is set to welcome its first professional women’s volleyball team, Major League Volleyball (MLV) Dallas, for the league’s upcoming third season. This new franchise marks an important milestone for Texas, expanding MLV’s footprint as the 8th member city. Led by newly appointed President and CEO Grady Raskin, MLV Dallas aims to inspire local athletes and fans. The league, which recently unified the Professional Volleyball Federation and MLV, will also expand in 2027. Free agency for players opens soon, and multiple announcements regarding team details are expected shortly.
Dallas
Major League Volleyball (MLV) will enter its third season in 2026 and has announced a new professional franchise in Dallas, marking the city’s first professional women’s volleyball team. MLV Dallas is the first Texas team to join the league and becomes the 8th member city in the MLV, expanding the league’s footprint and bringing top-level women’s volleyball to the Dallas market.
Key details
The PVF and MLV have recently merged into a unified league, creating a single national structure for professional women’s volleyball. The league has eight current teams: Atlanta, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando, San Diego, and Las Vegas. Dallas will begin play in 2026, and the league will expand further in 2027 with teams in Washington D.C. and Northern California.
MLV Dallas has appointed Grady Raskin as President and CEO. Raskin is a Dallas native with prior experience in sports teams like the Dallas Renegades, Dallas Stars, and Texas Rangers. Raskin aims to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans in Dallas. The organization plans to announce its official team name, home arena, and 2026 game schedule in the coming months.
Free agency for MLV opens on August 7 at 4 p.m. CT. The 2026 league schedule is expected to be released between late September and early October. MLV plans to provide significant ownership, venues, and pay for players and staff as part of its league model.
Player spotlight and roster context
Athlete Kelsie Payne is a right-side hitter for MLV Dallas and is training during the off-season. Payne has a personal goal of running an eight-minute mile. She started playing volleyball at 11 years old, prompted by friends. Payne has played professionally in Brazil, Switzerland, South Korea, Turkey, and Italy. She was part of the Omaha Supernovas last season in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF).
Competition and concerns
Last season, the Orlando Valkyries won the PVF championship against the Indy Ignite. Players and fans express uncertainty about the sustainability and future of competing leagues. Fans are concerned about the effects of multiple leagues on player opportunities and viewership. Some players express hopes for the leagues to unify for the betterment of women’s volleyball.
Economic and regional context
The Dallas Sports Commission noted that past volleyball events have had significant economic impacts, generating between $9-80 million. The head volleyball coach at Southern Methodist University indicated that Texas has a large number of volleyball players, surpassing states like Florida and Ohio. The addition of a professional team allows players to earn a living through their sport, something that has historically been more accessible to men.
Founding and league ambitions
The founders of MLV include notable names like Jason Derulo and Kerri Walsh Jennings. MLV aims to expand professional women’s volleyball, and the new Dallas franchise is positioned as part of a broader plan to grow the league’s presence across U.S. cities. MLV plans to provide significant ownership, venues, and pay for players and staff.
What remains to be announced
MLV Dallas plans to announce its official team name, home arena, and 2026 game schedule in the coming months. The 2026 league schedule is expected to be released between late September and early October. Free agency for MLV opens on August 7 at 4 p.m. CT, which will be a key date for player movement and roster building.
Implications
The introduction of a new professional team in Dallas is likely to increase local interest in women’s volleyball, expand career options for players, and add a new entertainment product for the region. At the same time, uncertainty about competing leagues and long-term sustainability remains a concern among stakeholders.
FAQ
Q: When will Major League Volleyball enter its next season?
A: Major League Volleyball (MLV) will enter its third season in 2026.
Q: Is Dallas getting a professional women’s volleyball team?
A: MLV Dallas is the first Texas team to join the league.
Q: Has Dallas had a professional women’s volleyball team before?
A: This marks Dallas’s first professional women’s volleyball team.
Q: Who is a notable player on MLV Dallas?
A: Athlete Kelsie Payne is a right-side hitter for MLV Dallas and is training during the off-season.
Q: What is Kelsie Payne’s off-court goal?
A: Payne has a personal goal of running an eight-minute mile.
Q: Where has Kelsie Payne played professionally?
A: Payne has played professionally in Brazil, Switzerland, South Korea, Turkey, and Italy.
Q: Which team did Kelsie Payne play for last season?
A: She was part of the Omaha Supernovas last season in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF).
Q: Have the PVF and MLV made any organizational changes?
A: The PVF and MLV have recently merged into a unified league.
Q: How many teams are currently in the league and which cities?
A: The league has eight current teams: Atlanta, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando, San Diego, and Las Vegas.
Q: When does free agency open and when will the schedule be released?
A: Free agency for MLV opens on August 7 at 4 p.m. CT. The 2026 league schedule is expected to be released between late September and early October.
Q: Who is leading MLV Dallas?
A: Grady Raskin has been appointed as the President and CEO of MLV Dallas.
Q: What economic impacts have past volleyball events had in the region?
A: The Dallas Sports Commission noted that past volleyball events have had significant economic impacts, generating between $9-80 million.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| League season | Major League Volleyball (MLV) will enter its third season in 2026. |
| New franchise | MLV Dallas is the first Texas team to join the league. |
| City milestone | This marks Dallas’s first professional women’s volleyball team. |
| Member count | Dallas is now the 8th member city in the MLV. |
| Existing teams | The league has eight current teams: Atlanta, Columbus, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando, San Diego, and Las Vegas. |
| Free agency | Free agency for MLV opens on August 7 at 4 p.m. CT. |
| Schedule release | The 2026 league schedule is expected to be released between late September and early October. |
| Expansion 2027 | Dallas will begin play in 2026, and the league will expand further in 2027 with teams in Washington D.C. and Northern California. |
| Team leadership | Grady Raskin has been appointed as the President and CEO of MLV Dallas. |
| Founders | The founders of MLV include notable names like Jason Derulo and Kerri Walsh Jennings. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News: First Pro Women’s Volleyball Team in Dallas
- WFAA: Dallas Pro Volleyball Team MLV 2026
- Sports Business Journal: Pro Volleyball Federation & Major League Volleyball Merge
- Fox 4 News: Dallas Volleyball Team Introduction
- Defector: The Battle for Professional Volleyball
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- Google Search: Professional Women’s Volleyball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- Google Scholar: Professional Women’s Volleyball Leagues
- Google News: Women’s Volleyball Dallas
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
