February 17, 2023 – Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) – Omaha press release
COLUMBUS, OH / Frisco, TX — One of the United States’ most rabid volleyball hotbeds now has a team in North America’s premier women’s professional volleyball league, as Omaha businessman Danny White and performance artist Jason Derulo announced they are starting a pro volleyball Federation franchise in Omaha, NE during the league’s inaugural 2024 season.
White and Derulo announced their new venture on social media. Derulo, who headlined the third annual NFL TikTok Tailgate with The Black Keys the Sunday before Super Bowl LVII, has more than 57 million followers on TikTok, making him one of the most followed TikTok content creators worldwide. White is an experienced entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of City+Ventures, one of the fastest growing companies in the United States and the fastest growing company in the state of Nebraska.
“This is another special day for the Pro Volleyball Federation,” said Dave Whinham, co-founder of the Pro Volleyball Federation. “The response we’ve had since announcing the launch of the league just over ten weeks ago has been phenomenal. We always knew we wanted a team in Omaha, and we knew it would take a dedicated ownership group to realize the tremendous potential in the Omaha market. We know we’ve found that special group and are so excited to see what Danny and Jason will do to make Omaha undoubtedly a flagship franchise in our league.”
White and Derulo share numerous business interests and have formed a formidable team that invests in companies across a wide range of industries. White is also a close associate of the Burrow family, who in turn have deep ties to the state of Nebraska. Jimmy Burrow, Director of Brand Advancement for the Pro Volleyball Federation, is a former football player and coach at the University of Nebraska, and Jamie, Jimmy’s son and Joe Burrow’s older brother, is a former All-Big 12 linebacker for the Cornhuskers who is still in Omaha lives . Both Jimmy and Jamie helped recruit White and Derulo to the Pro Volleyball Federation.
News of the new Omaha team comes at a time when the Pro Volleyball Federation will be making numerous market announcements in the coming days. Omaha is the second market to be publicly announced. The team will host a local celebration in Omaha in the coming weeks to officially introduce the city to its first major women’s professional sports team.
“This is so exciting and something Jason and I can’t stop thinking about,” said White, who has become a leader in the business community and is known for his ability to identify and capitalize on new ventures and opportunities hit. “From day one the Pro Volleyball Federation approached us, we knew this was exactly what we were looking for, not just to bring something special and impactful to Omaha, but because it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself creatively and help change the way people consume sports and entertainment content. We have many ideas and can’t wait to get started.”
A billionaire with a proud athletic background from his days as a star hockey player, White brings not only his wealth and business acumen, but also the values instilled in him by his family. White and his partner/co-founder of City+Ventures, Omaha native Chris Erickson, take great pride in their achievements with City+Ventures while carrying responsibility for improving communities through impactful business solutions.
Omaha will be a fertile home for the Pro Volleyball Federation. The University of Nebraska women’s volleyball program has led the nation since 2013, and Omaha, which hosted the 2022 NCAA Division I volleyball championships in December to a packed audience at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha, did last season Headlines The matchup between Nebraska and hometown Creighton was played in front of 15,797 fans in the same arena. The in-state match-up set the record for the largest attendance for a regular-season volleyball game in NCAA history.
“Are you kidding me?” Derulo excitedly announced that he would become a pro sports team owner. “I’ve learned and grown so much as an entrepreneur through my friendship with Danny, and this opportunity to spread my wings in a new industry is what drives me both professionally and creatively. I’m a passionate creator, and by being able to help these world-class athletes who are also passionate about their craft, advance their careers, build their own brands, and establish themselves as true superstars in their sport and community – that really excites me.”
Derulo has sold more than 250 million singles worldwide and has achieved 15 platinum singles. Along with Taylor Swift, Elton John, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera, he is the only artist in history to have a #1 single on US pop radio in three different decades.
“The Pro Volleyball Federation takes a modern approach to aligning the needs of the modern athlete with the modern fan, all within a meaningful economic model and technological ecosystem that is designed for the digital age and breaks with traditional mold in the Professional sport,” said Stephen Evans, co-founder of the Pro Volleyball Federation with Whinham. “With Jason’s proven ability to connect with and grow an audience, and Danny’s drive to succeed in anything he sets out to do be, Omaha will be a rocket ship of innovation and excellence.”
The Pro Volleyball Federation will kick off its inaugural season in February 2024 in 8-10 markets featuring world-class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players. Pro Volleyball Federation is played at major league level in large arenas with top athletes having their first opportunity to make a living and play professional volleyball at the highest level without leaving the country.
Omaha will be joined by Grand Rapids, MI as the first two markets for the 2024 season were announced. The Grand Rapids team is owned and operated by DP Fox Sports & Entertainment Chairman Dan DeVos, who also owns the NBA’s Orlando Magic and AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins with his family. DeVos is also a limited partner of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs.
The Pro Volleyball Federation will be making additional announcements regarding its inaugural season team markets in the coming days, including two top ten media markets in the United States and the announcement of the league’s first female team owner.
The Pro Volleyball Federation has attracted some well-known founding partners inside and outside the sport. Super Bowl Champion Trent Dilfer and Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow, along with his parents Jimmy and Robin Burrow, highlight an impressive list of founding partners who support the company. In addition, two legends of the sport – Dr. Cecile Reynaud and Laurie Corbelli – closely involved from the start, as well as veteran international-level American players Jenna Rosenthal, Tori Dilfer Stringer, Morgan Hentz and Ronika Stone. The league is led by CEO Jen Spicher.
Those interested in becoming part of the Pro Volleyball Federation, whether as a player, coach, team owner, investor, sponsor, vendor, media outlet or venue, can email [email protected]
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The opinions expressed in this press release are those of the organization issuing it and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its employees.
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