LOVB San Francisco Expands Ownership Group, Accelerating Volleyball's Rise as America's Breakout Sport
LOVB San Francisco Volleyball today announced a significant expansion of its ownership group, bringing together a powerful cohort of leaders united by the shared conviction that professional volleyball is poised to become America’s next breakout sport.
As the Bay Area expansion team of League One Volleyball (LOVB), set to debut in January 2027, the team is assembling one of the most forward-looking and intentionally women-led ownership groups in professional sports. The latest additions span sports, business, media, and culture, underscoring volleyball’s accelerating momentum and growing relevance across the United States.
The new ownership group members include former professional volleyball player, three-time Olympian and Chairwoman of the KYK Foundation YK Kim; professional basketball player and Stanford graduate Lexie Hull; soccer legend, two-time Olympic gold medalist and Stanford graduate Julie Foudy; the Kerr family, including former UC Berkeley volleyball player Maddy Kerr Hyde, Margot Kerr and nine-time champion basketball player and coach Steve Kerr; rock icon and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Joan Jett; Blackhearts president Carianne Brinkman; former professional basketball player Chelsea Poppens; sports, media & digital executive Christina Miller; Hall of Fame sports journalist Holly Rowe; 72andSunny CEO and former D1 volleyball player Evin Shutt; 72andSunny founder and creative executive Glenn Cole; education leader and former University of San Francisco volleyball player Jennifer Cole; founder and CEO of The Female Longevity Institute Lynn Jurich; founder of TaskRabbit and managing director of Precedent.vc Leah Solivan; Hillary Murphy of the Mirnahill Foundation; tech executive Leslie Witt; tech and social impact leader Courtney Diesel O’Donnell; eye surgeon and investor Huckleberry “Huck” Holz, MD; design executive Cindy Mock; entertainment and hospitality executive Patrick Mock; tech and innovation executive Neha Jogani Narang; entrepreneur and marketing tech executive Arlene Villanueva Unverzagt; entrepreneur Aaron Unverzagt; portfolio manager Dave Russell; food entrepreneurs Alan Razzaghi and Winnie Tong; entrepreneur and volleyball parent Mike Su; sports marketing executive Kristen Gambetta; women's empowerment advocate and women’s sports investor Kim Rubey; Rachel Springate and Assia Grazioli Venier of Muse Capital/ Muse Sport; sports executive Magdalena “Mags” Kala; Katie Markov, technology and innovation executive, founder; Samantha Hoag, tech operator and investor; and Nikita & Ranvir Gujral.
“We’re designing more than a traditional ownership structure, we’re assembling a collective of builders who see where volleyball is going in this country and want to help shape it, here in the Bay Area.” said Jes Wolfe, LOVB San Francisco owner and chairwoman. “Together, we’re creating something that reflects this community and sets a new standard for the positive impact a professional team can have on the sport and its athletes.”
These individuals join an already distinguished ownership group that includes an influential mix of current and former athletes, executives, and cultural leaders who are helping to define the future of women’s sports like JesWolfe, Chantell Preston, Stephanie Martin, Kelsey Cook, Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, Abby Wambach, Glennon Doyle, Alix Klineman, Lindsey Berg, Ali Riley, Natalie Coughlin, Alysia Montano, Ari Chambers, Meghan O’Leary, Kate Johnson, Zack and Adlee Kass and more. The group is also one of the most decorated in history with 32 Olympic medals plus multiple world championship and national titles.
LOVB San Francisco is being built as both a professional team and a broader platform for community, culture, and connection in the Bay Area. From its “Name the Team” campaign to founding membership initiatives like The Nine, the organization is prioritizing community participation from day one, inviting fans to help shape the identity, traditions, and future of the franchise. Hundreds of names have already been submitted since the vote’s launch.
“We’re focused on building something the community can truly be part of, not just as fans, but as active participants,” said Stephanie Martin, owner and president of LOVB San Francisco. “We believe volleyball is on the path to becoming one of the defining sports in the U.S., and there’s no better place for that future to take hold than the Bay Area, with the region’s deep talent, passionate fan base and leadership in women’s sports.”
LOVB San Francisco will begin play in January 2027, bringing professional volleyball to one of the most dynamic sports markets in the country.
As part of League One Volleyball’s expanding professional league, the team represents a strategic step forward in the sport’s national growth. The Bay Area’s strong volleyball participation, elite collegiate programs, and track record of innovation in women’s sports make it a natural cornerstone for what comes next..
In Their Words
YK Kim: ““I’m honored to join LOVB San Francisco and be part of building a new future for women’s volleyball. I’m excited to support the growth of the game and create more opportunities for the next generation, and I hope to help build meaningful connections between the San Francisco team and the broader volleyball community in Korea.”
Maddy Kerr Hyde, and Margot and Steve Kerr: “Volleyball has always been a part of our family. We’ve spent years around the game and have a deep appreciation for the community, discipline, and joy it creates. What’s being built with LOVB San Francisco takes that to another level. It’s an opportunity to help grow a sport we love, in a city we care deeply about, alongside a women-led ownership group that’s creating real pathways for athletes. It feels both personal and purposeful, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Lexie Hull: “I’m incredibly excited to join the LOVB SF ownership group. The Bay Area has always held a special place in my heart from my time at Stanford, so this feels really full circle. To now be part of building something meaningful in a community that gave me so much is truly special, and I can’t wait to see what we create together!
Julie Foudy: ““Sport has always been one of the most powerful platforms for change in my life, and I’ve always believed we have a responsibility to leave it better than we found it. What drew me to LOVB San Francisco is the chance to build something intentionally, where women aren’t just playing the game, but shaping it, leading it, and owning it. It’s about creating real pathways, real visibility, and a future where the next generation sees what’s not only possible but they see their place in it.”
Chelsea Poppens: ““I’m incredibly excited to support LOVB and the continued growth of women’s sports. As a former athlete, I believe investing in opportunities that elevate female athletes and build strong communities is extremely important, and I love the vision LOVB is bringing to life in the Bay Area.”'
Holly Rowe: “From decades of covering women’s sports, I absolutely believe professional Volleyball is the next big thing. I am convinced we are building something special.”
Glenn Cole: “Optimism, ambition, commitment to excellence and innovation are hallmarks of the Bay Area and this ownership group. Volleyball’s future is bigger than ever and I fully expect LOVB SF to be out in front, having a great time along the way.”
Jen Cole: “I’m thrilled to contribute to a mission that champions women athletes at every stage of their journey. As a former USF volleyball player, LOVB SF feels like a full-circle moment, combining my passion for education with my commitment to empowering young women through sport, with Memorial Gym / Sobrato Center at the heart of it.”
Evin Shutt: :I'm thrilled to join the powerhouse group of LOVB SF owners in elevating volleyball and creating new opportunities for athletes and fans. As a former volleyball player and mom of 2 current players, I'm more excited than ever about the future of the sport. Let's goooo!”
Patrick and Cindy Mock: “Proud to help build something in SF that gives young athletes a real path to the pros and creates a true home for our volleyball community.”
Hillary Murphy: “I’m a big believer in the power of sport to expand opportunities and strengthen communities, and I think we're building something really special here with LOVB SF.”
Arlene Villanueva Unverzagt: “I grew up in the Bay Area, and so much of my life was shaped there—it’s where I built my career, met my husband, and where our kids were born. Being part of LOVB San Francisco feels deeply personal because I believe in creating more space for women’s sports and in the power of sports to shape girls—building confidence, resilience, leadership, and a stronger sense of what’s possible.”
Aaron Unverzagt: “As the father of a 14-year-old daughter who plays club volleyball, I’ve seen firsthand how much the game builds confidence and character. Investing in LOVB San Francisco is about creating more of those opportunities and helping grow women’s sports.”
Mike Su: “As a Volleyball Dad, I am completely obsessed with the sport. The opportunity to join this esteemed ownership group that leads with its values, and to be a part of women's volleyball in the Bay was a no brainer.”
Dave Russell: “Much like San Francisco itself, volleyball celebrates community while empowering individual expression. I’m excited to see LOVB build on the Bay Area’s tremendous support for women’s sports and introduce the game to the next generation of players.”
Leah Solivan: “LOVB San Francisco is rewriting the playbook for sports ownership—expanding who gets access, who gets to participate, and who gets to win. I’m proud to be part of a team breaking precedent and bringing this energy to the Bay Area.”
Lynn Jurich: “As a lifelong athlete and entrepreneur with a passion for women’s health, I’m excited to support a platform like LOVB San Francisco that advances women’s performance, visibility, and leadership.”
Alan Razzaghi and Winnie Tong: “This is an incredible moment for women’s sports. It’s a chance to build a passionate powerful fan base, support elite athletes and help shape the volleyball sports culture.”
Kim Rubey: “Women's sports is reimagining what's possible — and LOVB SF is proof of that. I'm incredibly proud of this team's commitment to expanding opportunity for athletes and to changing the way people experience the game.”
Magdalena "Mags" Kala: “Growing up in volleyball-obsessed Poland, it was the first women's sport I watched, the first sport I played, the first sport I fell in love with. I could point to any number of rational reasons why I'm thrilled to join the LOVB SF ownership group—volleyball's exploding popularity in both participation and viewership, the Bay Area's tremendous energy around women's sports—but really, I just want to help more young girls experience volleyball's magic the same way I did 30 years ago.”
Neha Jogani Narang: “I am thrilled to support LOVB San Francisco because of its deep investment in the Bay Area and the profound and lasting impact professional volleyball will have on youth and women's sports.”
Samantha Hoag: “I'm thrilled to be part of the LOVB SF ownership group and to help build something truly special in San Francisco. We are excited to invest in world-class female athletes, a passionate fan base, and a community that will grow with us for years to come.”
Christina Miller: “My excitement to join SF LOVB is grounded in two beliefs: Play Matters and Ownership Matters. Volleyball is about setting others up to win—and this group is committed to doing just that, from club to pro to ownership to fans. Game on!”
Courtney Diesel O’Donnell: “At its best, women's sports doesn't just build champions — it builds community, confidence, and possibility. LOVB SF embodies that unifying force for good, and I'm so proud to help bring it to the Bay Area.”
Huckleberry “Huck” Holz, MD: “I’m excited to be part of LOVB San Francisco and help build something that brings energy, competition, and community together. As the father of an 11 year old daughter, there is nothing better than supporting a team of amazing women role models that inspires the next generation.”
Nikita and Ranvir Gujral: “We’ve been supporters of LOVB since day one, and we're so excited to see the LOVB vision come to life in San Francisco. We're excited to support the team!”