LOS ANGELES (October 6, 2026) – One of the newest franchises in Major League Volleyball (MLV) has proudly unveiled its official name and logo: Los Angeles Thunder, marking an important milestone as the organization continues building toward its debut in the 2027 MLV season.
The unveiling gives the franchise a creative identity to carry forward as the organization moves into its next phase of development. Los Angeles Thunder has brought together an accomplished group of creative talent to build an identity authentic to Southern California, with artistic direction set to be an important pillar of the franchise. The significance of the announcement extends beyond a name or a mark: it represents a critical step toward putting the team into action.
“Our ambition is to build a franchise with a distinct point of view, with art and creativity fundamental to how the team shows up in the world,” said Ben Priest, the team’s Co-Owner and Managing Partner. “We are proud to reveal our brand identity, but a great identity is ultimately established by what you build behind it. Today gives us a name and a symbol to rally around, tomorrow begins the job of making an impact on the community.”
Los Angeles Thunder’s mission is to be an inspirational and entertaining presence for the sport, serving fans, participants and families across Los Angeles and Greater Southern California. The franchise will compete at the highest level while creating meaningful connections that reflect the communities and culture surrounding the sport.
“There is incredible energy around volleyball in Southern California and we have an opportunity to build a franchise that the fans can authentically connect with,” said Team President Lindsay Amstutz. “Being able to announce that we are officially Los Angeles Thunder is an exciting milestone. We’re building for the athletes, fans, families and young players who love this sport across this great region and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to what’s next.”
With its name and identity revealed, additional announcements regarding Los Angeles Thunder’s home venue, inaugural season schedule, ticket availability and partnership opportunities will be shared soon.
For more information, follow @LAThunderVB on social media or visit losangelesthunder.com.
About Los Angeles Thunder
Announced in May 2026, MLV Los Angeles is led by majority owner and founder Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and Co-Owner and Managing Partner Ben Priest. The organization is focused on building a lasting platform for the future of women’s professional sports, bringing together elite competition, advanced technology, media innovation and world-class infrastructure in a way that can redefine the future of professional volleyball. For more information, visit losangelesthunder.com and follow the team on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.
About Major League Volleyball
Major League Volleyball (MLV) is the premier professional volleyball league in the United States, designed to provide the sport and its athletes with the major league platform they deserve. Founded on a player-first philosophy, MLV combines elite competition, significant investment in athlete development, experienced professional sports ownership and a commitment to the long-term growth of volleyball across the country. As the league enters its fourth season in 2027, MLV has expanded to 12 teams from coast-to-coast in some of the top media markets in the nation. It will continue to create top-level, lasting opportunities and memories for players, coaches and local communities while leading the way in solidifying the future of professional volleyball in North America. For more information, visit MLVB.com and follow the league on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.
Press Contacts:
Jen Hodson, LA Thunder
Jen@nant.com
Kelly Ricci, MLV
Kelly@mlvb.com