Pro Volleyball Federation continued its exciting run of league market announcements on Friday when it welcomed Columbus, Ohio, to Pro Volleyball Federation. The Columbus team is owned and operated by the Jeff and Beth Gilger Family.
Pro Volleyball Federation is the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America, and the Columbus Pro Volleyball Federation team becomes the first major women’s professional sports team in Columbus. The capital city of Ohio, Columbus is the most populous city in Ohio, the second most-populous city in the Midwest (behind only Chicago), and the largest metro market entirely in Ohio.
Columbus becomes the fourth publicly announced market for Pro Volleyball Federation’s 2024 season and the third market announced this week, following the announcements of Omaha and Atlanta.
“Columbus is home to one of the most passionate sports fan base in America,” said Jeff Gilger, “and there is no doubt that this sport is going to take Columbus and all of Central Ohio by storm. The action is amazing, the atmosphere in the arena will be electric, and the ferocity with which the best volleyball players in the world will compete for every single point will quickly make fans out of those who may have yet to ever experience women’s volleyball played at its highest level.”
Gilger is a seasoned Central Ohio entrepreneur and business executive with more than 30 years of real estate development, investment, and corporate leadership experience with award-winning businesses, including Express Wash Concepts, the parent company of Moo Moo Express Car Wash which has 27 Central Ohio locations. As partner and Chief Development Officer at EWC, he has been instrumental in the programming, site-selection, design, pre-construction, construction and related real estate development for the company. Under his leadership, EWC has completed more than 80 express car wash locations across multiple express car wash brands, employing more than 850 employees across six states and becoming one of the top conveyor car wash operators in the United States.
Also an investor and member of the Board of Directors at North High Brewing, the Ohio State University graduate now looks to apply his entrepreneurial spirit and proven business expertise to operate a best-in-class Pro Volleyball Federation team in his hometown.
“To say Jeff and Beth are a perfect fit to lead the new Pro Volleyball Federation team in Columbus is an absolute understatement,” said Dave Whinham, co-founder of Pro Volleyball Federation. “They are both Columbus through and through, both graduates of The Ohio State University, and they made their mark in business in Columbus. Central Ohio can count on Jeff and Beth to do a great job.”
Added Linda Logan, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission: “Volleyball has a big footprint and strong community in Columbus. The sport has grown significantly because of the opportunities provided by the Ohio Valley Region of USA Volleyball. Ohio State has one of the strongest programs in the NCAA and regularly plays in front of large crowds. Since 2000, we’ve hosted nearly 20 national volleyball events including breaking the attendance record at the NCAA DI Women’s Championship in 2021.”
Pro Volleyball Federation will launch its inaugural season in February 2024 in 8-10 markets with world-class players and coaches. The matches will be played at a major-league level in marquee arenas with elite athletes who, for the first time, have an opportunity to be paid a living wage while playing professionally without leaving the country.
The league was co-founded by Dave Whinham, President and CEO of The TEAM Management, LLC, and Stephen Evans, President of The Remedy. The TEAM Management, based in Columbus, manages and operates Pro Volleyball Federation.
“Columbus sports fans have become accustomed to world-class sports entertainment and they can look forward to an unforgettable entertainment experience with Pro Volleyball Federation,” said Kimberly Kershaw, Vice President of Corporate and Community Outreach for Pro Volleyball Federation and a longtime Columbus sports executive. “The sport’s best female athletes competing at the highest level, combined with its fast pace and spectacular production will provide fans with unmatched entertainment value. Additionally, the Columbus team will use its unique resources and partnerships to support important community initiatives throughout Central Ohio that support and empower women and young girls.”
Columbus joins Atlanta, Omaha, and Grand Rapids, MI, as the first announced markets for the 2024 season. The Grand Rapids team is owned and operated by DP Fox Sports & Entertainment chairman Dan DeVos who, along with his family, also owns the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, and is a limited partner of Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs. The Omaha team is owned by global entertainment superstar Jason Derulo and Nebraska businessman Danny White. Atlanta is owned by esteemed businesswoman Colleen Durham Craig, the first female team owner within the league.
The Columbus franchise will host an announcement celebration in Columbus in the coming weeks as it begins building toward the February 2024 inaugural season.
Pro Volleyball Federation has attracted well-known founding partners from 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 roster of founding partners. In addition, two legends of the sport – former USA Volleyball Board chair Dr. Cecile Reynaud and former Olympian Laurie Corbelli – are also intimately involved with the Federation. The league is led by CEO Jen Spicher.
Pro Volleyball Federation will make additional announcements in the coming days regarding additional inaugural season team markets, including a top ten United States media market.
For more information about the Columbus team, including how you can play a role in building Columbus’ next major league sports franchise as a sponsor, employee, or limited partner, visit ColumbusProVolleyball.com or contact info@columbusprovolleyball.com.
Those wishing to become a part of Pro Volleyball Federation, whether as a player, coach, team owner, investor, sponsor, vendor, media company, or host venue, can email info@provolleyball.com.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in February 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.
For Media Inquiries or to arrange interviews, contact: Rob Carolla, (214-208-1876 / rob@provolleyball.com)